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1895 


QUR  COMMON  BIRDS 

AND  HOW  TO  KNOW  THEM 


BY 

JOHN  B.  GRANT 

WITH  SIXTY-FOUR.  FOLATES 


FIFTH  EDITION 


NEW  YORK 

CHARLES  SCRIBNER’S  SONS 
1893 


Copyright,  1891,  by 

CHARLES  SCRIBNER’S  SONS 


Press  of  J.  J Little  & Co. 
Astor  Place,  New  York 


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INTRODUCTION 


In  offering  this  little  book  to  the  public,  the  author  desires  to  disclaim  great  scientific 
knowledge  of  birds  and  their  ways,  his  object  being  not  so  much  to  impart  information, 
as  to  point  his  readers  to  the  way  of  acquiring  it  for  themselves.  He  believes,  indeed, 
that  by  reason  of  his  own  experience,  recent  and  consequently  fresh  in  his  memory,  he  is 
fitted  to  make  some  suggestions,  particularly  looking  toward  the  economy  of  time  and 
labor,  which  will  be  of  value  to  the  beginner  in  the  art  of  observing  birds.  He  thinks  also 
that,  in  view  of  such  measure  of  proficiency  as  has  been  attained  by  him,  he  can  give 
encouragement  by  the  promise  of  ultimate  success,  thus  affording  cheer  to  the  student, 
and  it  may  be  preventing  the  abandonment  of  a study,  which,  if  persevered  in,  cannot 
fail  to  increase  the  substantial  enjoyment  of  all  out-of-door  life. 

Doubtless,  the  beginner  who  has  no  friend  learned  in  Natural  History  to  counsel 
him,  but  is,  dependent  wholly  upon  the  books  for  guidance  and  his  own  untrained 
observation  for  facts,  will  experience  certain  discouragements.  It  will  seem  to  him  that 
if  he  reads  up  on  any  one  bird  and  then  sets  out  to  find  it,  that  particular  variety  will  be 
the  one  which  by  no  chance  will  he  be  able  to  meet  with  on  his  immediate  excursions  ; 


3 


Introduction 


while  other  kinds,  unknown  to  him,  will  swarm  about  him.  And,  if  he  reverses  the 
method,  and  singles  out  a specimen  from  those  he  does  find,  noting  its  markings,  song 
and  habits,  with  the  intention  of  subsequently  identifying  it  in  the  written  descriptions, 
it  will  similarly  appear  to  him  that  either  such  peculiarities  as  he  has  observed  appertain 
equally  to  several  varieties,  or,  worse  still,  if  the  books  are  to  be  trusted,  they  belong 
to  none  at  all.  Hence,  whichever  way  he  turns  the  result  is  the  same — many  birds 
seen  but  none  identified. 

This  is,  indeed,  a serious  dilemma,  sufficiently  embarrassing  and  disheartening  ; but 
it  is  to  the  student  arrived  at  such  a despondent  frame  of  mind  that  the  writer  hopes  to 
be  of  use,  both  with  his  advice  and  by  means  of  the  plates  herewith  presented. 

As  for  the  advice,  though  of  the  simplest,  it  is  believed  that  it  will  prove  effective. 
It  will  be  given  in  detail  in  the  following  pages  ; but  the  most  important,  if  the  least 
startling  features  of  it,  may  be  here  briefly  stated. 

Study  one  bird  at  a time. 

Begin  with  the  commonest,  that  is,  the  most  abundant  and  most  easily  recognized 
ones  ; it  is  the  province  of  this  book  to  point  such  out. 


Introduction 


Do  not  attempt,  at  the  commencement,  to  identify  any  bird  which  presents  puzzling 
characteristics,  or  rather  any  which  does  not  present  some  striking  mark  either  of  song  or 
plumage  to  serve  as  a sign  for  certain  classification. 

If  these  rules  are  observed,  discouragements  will  be  avoided,  and  progress  will  be 
realized  more  rapid  than  might  at  first  thought  be  expected. 

Regarding  the  plates,  it  may  be  observed  that  these  not  only  afford  the  writer  his 
principal  hope  of  aiding  the  learner,  but  they  serve  as  his  chief  excuse  for  this  little  volume. 
Many  books  have  been  written  about  birds,  and  by  those,  too,  far  more  learned  upon  the 
subject  than  the  present  writer  is.  Reliable  and  handsome  plates  also  have  been  published. 
But  the  books  have  either  been  of  a purely  literary  character,  delightful  indeed  to  read, 
but  conveying  no  detailed  instruction  to  the  beginner,  or  so  voluminous  and  scientific 
as  to  repel  him  who  desires  only  a naming  acquaintance  with  such  birds  as  he  con- 
stantly sees.  The  plates  thus  far  published  have  been  in  a form  so  bulky  as  to  forbid 
their  being  carried  into  the  field  for  use,  and  so  expensive  as  to  prevent  many  from  ever 
owning  them. 

The  plates  presented  in  this  volume  are  photographs  of  specimens  mounted  by  an 


Introduction 


expert  taxidermist,*  which  represent  the  birds  in  characteristic  attitudes,  sometimes 
modified,  however,  to  positions  best  calculated  to  display  plumage  marks.  Of  course, 
the  absence  of  color  will  be  regretted.  But  colored  plates  are  costly,  and  the  object  here 
has  been  to  make  an  inexpensive  book.  Photograph v cannot,  as  yet,  reproduce  color, 
but  it  may,  aided  by  description,  indicate  it. 

Ninety  specimens  have  been  selected  and  described,  all  of  them  males,  and  all  repre- 
senting varieties  so  abundant  that  anv  person  may  surely  find  them  if  he  chooses  to  seek. 
Of  these  birds,  sixtv-four  portraits  have  been  given.  The  descriptions,  it  is  hoped,  will  be 
found  to  be  trustworthy,  although  there  is  no  pretense  in  them  of  exhaustive  detail.  The 
aim  has  been  to  furnish  sufficient  data  to  serve  the  purpose  of  identification,  while  avoid- 
ing the  danger  of  confusion.  The  book  has  been  put  into  such  form  as  to  be  conveniently 
taken  into  the  field  for  the  learner’s  use,  while  he  is  actually  regarding  the  living  bird.  It 
is  not  expected  to  take  the  place  of  a larger  Manual,  but  to  be  supplementary  to  such  a 
work.  A complete  Ornithological  Treatise  is  a desirable  possession  for  the  bird-lover 
from  the  start,  and  it  will  become  gradually  indispensable  to  him  as  he  grows  in  knowledge 

*J.  Wallace,  i6  North  William  St.,  New  York  City. 


6 


Introduction 


and  desires  fuller  and  more  detailed  information  than  a small  volume  such  as  the  present 
one  can  supply. 

The  birds  which  have  come  under  the  author’s  own  observation,  and  whose  habits 
are  here  recorded,  were  seen  on  Long  Island,  near  Flushing,  and  at  various  points  upon 
the  Hudson  River  between  New  York  City  and  Peekskill  ; and  in  this  connection  it  must 
be  borne  in  mind  that  birds’  habits  vary  greatly  in  different  localities,  so  that  absolute 
conformity  to  customs  mentioned  here  must  not  in  other  places  be  invariably  expected. 
Thus,  to  mention  a single  example,  birds  which,  in  one  part  of  the  country,  nest  upon  the 
ground,  may,  in  another  part,  be  found  building  in  trees. 

Until  a comparatively  recent  date,  no  universally  accepted  system  of  bird  nomen- 
clature has  been  in  vogue.  Naturalists  have,  perhaps,  not  always  been  wise  in  the  names 
they  have  bestowed  upon  the  several  varieties,  and  their  successors  have  not  hesitated  to 
christen  again  and  again  according  to  their  supposed  better  judgment  or  knowledge. 
It  therefore  came  to  pass  that  a bird  could  have  several  scientific,  that  is,  Latin  names, 
and  it  was  even  necessary  in  some  instances,  when  making  use  of  one  of  them,  to  append 
the  name  of  the  man  who  had  applied  it,  to  indicate  with  certainty  what  bird  was  meant. 


Introduction 


This  state  of  things  naturally  created  considerable  confusion— a confusion  which 
must  unfortunately  continue  to  exist  in  all  our  bird  literature  antedatiiy<r  in  publication 
the  year  1885. 

In  that  year  the  American  Ornithologist’s  Union  adopted  a Code  of  Rules,  and 
issued  a Check  List  prepared  by  a committee  appointed  by  the  Society.  This  document 
was  compiled  with  so  much  learning  and  conservative  wisdom,  that  its  authority  has 
been  recognized  by  most  if  not  all  ornithologists  and  its  nomenclature  adopted.  The 
arrangement  and  nomenclature  of  this  List  have  been  followed  as  a matter  of  course,  in  the 
present  book,  so  far  as  the  Latin  names  are  concerned.  In  regard  to  the  common  names 
of  birds,  however,  which  are  in  no  sense  scientific,  the  author  has  frequently  allowed 
himself  to  make  use  of  those  which  seem  to  him  more  familiar.  For  example.  Pine 
Finch  instead  of  Pine  Siskin,  Indigo-bird  instead  of  Indigo  Bunting,  Red  Crossbill  instead 
of  American  Crossbill,  etc.,  etc. 

Many  books  have  been  consulted  to  correct  or  confirm  the  author’s  own  statements  ; 
likewise  to  furnish  authority  for  the  descriptions  appertaining  to  a small  number  of 
specimens  which  he  has  not  seen  in  life,  but  which,  for  the  sake  of  completeness,  he 


Introduction 


has  thought  it  best  to  include  in  his  list.  Two  of  these  works  require  special  mention, 
because  of  the  liberal  use  made  of  them.  They  are  Dr.  Elliott  Coues’  Key  to  North 
American  Birds,  and  A List  of  the  Birds  of  the  Hudson  Highlands,  by  Dr.  Edgar  A. 
Mearns.  The  measurements  of  birds  given  in  the  latter  of  these  works  have,  with  slight 
modifications,  been  adopted  here.  The  figures  are  the  average  lengths  of  from  half  a 
dozen  to  about  half  a hundred  specimens,  and  may  serve  as  a general  indication  of 
size.  Dr.  Mearns’  List  is  the  source  also  from  which  most  of  the  dates  of  migration 
have  been  taken. 

It  should  also  be  said  that  the  idea  of  a calendar  of  bird  arrivals  and  departures  is 
not  an  original  one.  Dr.  Allen  published  a somewhat  similar  list  of  New  England  birds 
in  the  first  volume  of  the  American  Naturalist,  issued  in  1867-8. 

Thanks  for  assistance  are  due  to  Mr.  E.  A.  Fairchild,  Principal  of  the  Flushing 
Institute,  and  to  Mr.  Clifford  Smyth,  of  New  York  City. 

To  Dr.  j.  A.  Allen,  Curator  of  the  Ornithological  Department  of  the  Museum  of 
Natural  History  of  New  York  City,  the  authoi  is  particularly  indebted  for  kindly  advice 
and  much  valuable  help  in  various  ways. 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


Whan  shaws  beene  sheeiie,  and  shraddes  hill  fayre, 

And  leaves  both  large  and  longe, 

Itt’s  merrye  walkyng  in  the  fayre  forrbst 
To  heare  the  small  birdes  songe.” 

— Ballad  of  Robin  Hood  and  Guy  of  Gisborne 


OUR  COMMON  BIRDS  AND  HOW  TO  KNOW  THEM 


The  equipment  necessary  for  an  observer  of  birds  is  not  large.  He  needs  only  a 
pocket  note-book,  a good  opera  or  field  glass,  stout  and  easy  boots  or  shoes  and  clothing 
of  strong  texture  and  inconspicuous  color  ; these  for  the  field.  For  the  study  he  must 
have  a good  book  of  reference  (there  is  none  better  than  A Key  to  the  Birds  of  North 
America,  by  Dr.  Elliott  Coues),  and  a journal.  The  notes  made  during  a ramble  will, 
of  course,  be  hasty,  incomplete,  in  short  mere  memoranda  ; but  the  transcriptions  of 
these  into  the  journal  should  be  elaborated  with  care,  and  in  the  best  literary  style 
possible.  This  journal  will  be  frequently  read,  both  by  its  writer  and  probably  by  his 
friends,  and  it  may  with  great  likelihood  form  the  basis  of  future  publication.  Moreover, 
it  should  be  written  out  as  soon  as  possible  after  the  excursion  whose  results  are  to  be 
recorded,  and  while  the  observations  regarding  markings  and  habits  of  specimens  remain 
clear  in  the  memory  ; for,  if  this  be  not  systematically  done,  and  if  the  notes  of  several 
days’  ramblings  be  allowed  to  accumulate,  it  is  more  than  likely  that  there  will  be  a 
confusion  of  the  facts  beyond  the  power  of  the  field  book  to  disentangle. 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Tliem 


But  if  the  would-be  observer  looks  forward  to  what  may  be  called  professional 
work,  and  intends  to  make  an  exhaustive  study  of  ornilholoi^v,  he  must  kill  birds 
and  learn  to  skin  and  preserve  them  ; and  for  this  purpose  he  must  have  a ^un 
and  a set  of  taxidermist’s  instruments.  Dr.  Cones,  in  his  Key,  gives  full  directions 
regarding  the  use  of  these,  together  with  ample  instruction  in  the  formation  and  care 
of  a collection.  In  the  present  little  woik  this  branch  of  the  subject  will  not  be 
discussed,  and  only  such  familiarity  with  birds  will  be  sought  for  as  may  be  attained 
by  observation  alone  and  through  the  instrumentalitv  of  no  weapon  more  deadlv  than 
the  opera-glass. 

Armed,  therefore,  with  opera-glass  and  note-book,  start  out  in  the  early  morning 
or  towards  sunset.  It  is  at  these  times  during  the  summer  season,  that  birds  are  active. 
In  the  heat  of  the  day,  no  observations  can  be  made  of  sufficient  importance  to  repay 
the  personal  discomfort  and  even  risk  which  exercise  at  such  a time  involves.  The  few 
hours  immediately  succeeding  day-break  are  best  of  all,  but  for  obvious  reasons  a some- 
what later  period  will  be  chosen  by  most  people,  and  indeed  there  is  enough  occurring 
for  quite  a large  portion  of  the  morning  to  repay  the  watcher.  After  all,  the  occupation 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


is  undertaken  for  recreation,  and  let  him  to  whom  early  rising  is  an  abomination,  in  the 
name  of  Morpheus,  slumber  on  ; only,  when  his  tardy  start  is  effected,  he  shall  not  witness 
bird-life  so  exuberant,  nor  listen  to  such  floods  of  melody,  nor  inhale  such  richness  of 
perfume,  nor  find  refreshment  in  airs  so  balmy,  as  he  might  have  done  had  he  been 
earlier  astir. 

In  Spring  and  Fall,  however,  the  conditions  are  somewhat  different,  and  mid-day 
walks  may  well  be  productive  of  good  ; while  in  Winter  they  are  sometimes  best  of  all. 

When  exploring  open  country,  such  as  field  and  meadow,  walk  briskly.  Flere 
you  cannot  hope  to  steal  up  to  your  bird  and  study  him,  yourself  unobserved.  The 
most  you  can  do  is  to  come  upon  him  suddenly,  mark  the  spot  whence  he  starts  that 
his  nest  may  be  searched  for  ; note  his  manner  of  flight,  getting  at  the  same  time  such 
details  of  plumage  as  may  be  possible,  and  perhaps  stalk  him  in  the  tree  or  thicket 
where  he  has  taken  refuge.  And  this  stalking  must  be  deftly  done.  Approaches  must 
be  accomplished  by  detours,  with  advantage  taken  of  trees,  bushes,  rocks  and  mounds 
for  partial  concealment.  Nor  may  you  push  your  investigations  too  far  ; a bird’s 
quickness  of  sight  and  hearing  is  remarkable,  and  its  dislike  of  inspection  a universal 


Oiir  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


trait.  It  is  also  surprisingly  clever  in  discriminating  between  the  casual  wayfarer  who 
is  oblivious  of  its  presence,  and  him  who  comes  to  spv  upon  its  privacv. 

Therefore,  your  hunting  must  be  full  of  Indian-like  craft  and  subtlety,  and  your 
standpoint  for  observing  chosen  with  good  judgment.  But,  should  it  happen,  as 
too  often  it  will,  that  the  bird  you  are  following  is  unusually  shy,  and  vou  feel  doubtful 
of  being  able  to  attain  a sufficiently  near  position,  artifice  may  still  enable  you  to  carry 
out  voLir  design.  Throw  off  now  all  appearance  of  stealth  or  watchfulness,  and,  assum- 
ing the  guileless  and  unconcerned  manner  of  the  purposeless  loiterer,  stroll  along,  not 
too  directly  towards  the  bird,  and  particularly  avoid  any  steadfast  gazing.  Duplicity 
of  this  sort  will  frequently  outmatch  your  adversary’s  sagacity,  and  should  be  practiced 
in  its  proper  time. 

Another  expedient  for  retarding  a bird’s  too  hasty  departure,  sometimes  adopted 
with  success,  is  to  give  utterance  to  sundry  chirps  and  whistles  to  which  you  will 
endeavor  to  impart  some  resemblance  to  bird-language.  It  is  a Dct,  unlikely  as  it  may 
seem,  that  a bird  will  often  remain  to  answer,  and  will  sometimes  even  approach  quite 
near  to  the  accomplished  mimic. 


i6 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


When  wandering  in  woods  or  groves,  tactics  of  another  sort  should  govern  your 
proceedings.  Here  you  may  confidently  expect  to  surprise  many  a bird,  and  therefore 
you  should  go  slowly,  with  your  attention  given  mostly  to  the  tree-tops,  quick  to  notice 
and  investigate  each  motion  among  the  branches,  and  with  ears  alert  for  every  chirp 
or  twitter.  In  such  a place,  you  will,  perhaps  hear  the  chatter  and  see  the  bright  eyes 
or  bushy  tail  of  the  saucy  squirrel.  Fur  or  feathers,  quills  or  scales,  all  creatures  will 
be  objects  of  interest  to  you  even  from  the  beginning  of  your  investigations,  while  their 
importance  will  intensify  as  increase  of  knowledge  is  obtained. 

When  you  have  come  upon  a bird,  of  course  your  opera-glass  will  be  put  to  use. 
But  even  in  raising  it  to  your  eyes  your  movement  should  be  deliberate.  Never  forget 
that  a hasty  motion  or  the  quick  glancing  of  the  sun  upon  the  barrel  or  lens  of  the 
glass  is  sufficient  to  betray  your  presence.  Now  that  you  are  watching  your  specimen, 
it  might,  perhaps,  seem  that  your  end  is  attained  and  that  no  further  special  qualifications 
are  needful  for  what  remains  to  be  done,  the  simple  act  of  observation.  Not  so  ; your 
observing  faculties  must  be  trained  before  good  results  can  be  assured.  It  is  not  sufficient 
that  you  see  in  a merely  superficial  way  ; you  must  be  capable  of  detecting  special  and 


17 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


distinctive  peculiarities,  and  the  ability  to  do  this  comes  to  few  except  throu^di  training. 
The  bird’s  markings  should  be  carefully  studied  ; the  tail  and  wings  should  be  noted, 
whether  they  be  long  or  short,  slender  or  full,  and  whether  the  former  be  rounded,  square 
or  notched  ; the  tints  of  bill  and  legs  should  be  remarked  ; attention  should  be  given 
to  characteristic  habits,  such  as  the  llight,  whether  straight  or  undulatory  ; the  position 
maintained  in  the  tree,  whether  high  or  low  in  the  branches  ; the  general  deportment, 
whether  restless  or  composed  ; the  nature  of  the  environment,  whether  marsh,  meadow, 
wood,  upland  or  lowland  ; and  above  all,  the  song  or  note  of  the  bird  should  be  so 
thoroughly  learned  that  it  will  be  instantly  recognized  when  again  heard.  These  and 
a host  of  other  observations  of  a kindred  nature  should  be  diligently  made  and  faithfully 
transcribed  in  your  note-book.  They  will  assist  you  greatly,  not  only  in  determining 
the  species  when  you  have  opportunity  to  consult  your  reference  book,  but,  if  you  chance 
already  to  know  the  individual,  they  will  strengthen  former  records  of  its  habits,  not 
unfrequently  show  variations  either  before  not  remarked  or  peculiar  to  locality,  and  will 
always  tend  to  increase  your  intimacy  with  the  bird. 

During  the  actual  inspection  of  a specimen,  it  is  usually  unadvisable  to  withdraw 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


one’s  eyes  for  the  purpose  of  making  memoranda,  since,  if  one  loses  sight  of  a bird. 
It  is  frequently  difficult  to  regain  it.  Before  the  next  specimen  is  sought,  however, 
the  notes  descriptive  of  the  one  just  observed  should  habitually  be  made,  and  that  too, 
be  it  remembered,  with  the  thoroughness  which  has  already  been  strenuously  advised. 
Depend  upon  it,  the  time  and  trouble  bestowed  upon  these  notes  will  be  certainly  and 
speedily  rewarded. 

A third,  and  for  an  indolent  nature  an  extremely  pleasant,  nTethod  of  studying  birds 
is  to  seek  some  spot  which  possesses  peculiarly  attractive  features  for  them,  and  whither 
they  are  accustomed  to  resort  in  great  numbers,  and  there,  properly  sheltered,  seat  your- 
self and  quietly  wait  for  what  may  come  within  the  range  of  your  vision.  1 have  in 
mind  two  localities  that  have  always  proved  wonderfully  rich  in  bird-life.  One  is  a 
bluff,  perhaps  forty  feet  in  height,  rather  steep,  and  with  a number  of  good-sized  forest 
trees  growing  upon  its  slope.  Rolling  fields  spread  backwards  from  its  brow,  and  at 
its  foot  runs  a line  of  shrubbery,  somewhat  thicket-like  in  character  and  forming  a sort 
of  natural  hedge,  which  fittingly  bounds  a boggy  meadow  beyond.  Several  small  springs 
issue  from  the  sides  of  this  declivity  and  trickle  down  in  gentle  streams  until  lost  in  the 


Our  Conimou  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Theni 


ditches  which  intersect  the  meadow.  Meadowlarks,  Blackbirds,  Marsh  Wrens,  Bitterns, 
Bobolinks  and  an  occasional  Duck  frequent  the  lowland.  In  the  upland,  the  C^owbird, 
the  Robin  and  the  Song  Sparrow  disport  themselves  ; into  the  trees  and  shrubs  upon 
the  bluff  come  Woodpeckers,  Thrushes,  Orioles,  Catbirds,  Flycatchers  and  Warblers, 
and  all  of  these,  and,  indeed,  more  than  1 have  named,  take  turns  in  visiting  the  springs 
and  rivulets  ; now  indulging  in  a hasty  bath,  now  daintly  slaking  their  thirst,  now 
breaking  forth  into  song,  now  making  love,  and  now,  must  it  be  confessed,  waging  war, 
all  utterly  unconscious  of  the  observer,  who,  reclining  upon  a mossy  bank,  or  sitting 
motionless  upon  a log  or  stump,  or  leaning  fixedly  against  the  trunk  of  some  friendly 
tree,  is  watching  with  intense  interest  the  scenes  of  svlvan  life  unwittingly  enacted 
before  him. 

Such  is  one  of  the  favored  spots.  The  other  is  an  old,  deserted  and  gone-to-ruin 
apple  orchard,  far  from  any  habitation,  except  a few  scattering  farm-houses.  This  orchard 
is  skirted  on  three  sides  by  forest  trees,  and  on  the  remaining  side  by  a swamp,  which 
is  a tangle  of  alders  and  other  water-loving  growths.  Here  may  be  seen  the  Orchard 
Oriole,  the  Black-billed  Cuckoo,  the  Indigo-bird,  the  Summer  Redbird,  the  Towhee,  the 


20 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


Redstart,  the  American  Goldfinch,  Wrens,  Thrashers,  Vireos,  and  numerous  other 
varieties  of  birds  in  great  profusion.  It  was  at  this  place  that  a friend  of  the  writer 
pitched  a tent,  and,  with  his  dog  as  his  only  companion,  spent  four  delightful  months, 
solitary,  indeed,  except  for  an  occasional  visit  from  a few  of  his  acquaintances  who  were 
lovers  enough  of  Nature  to  be  willing  to  accept  in  her  service  the  limited,  but  by  no 
means  comfortless,  accommodations  of  a canvas  house  and  a somewhat  rudimentary 
couch.  It  was  the  writer’s  good  fortune  to  be  reckoned  among  the  favored  ones,  and 
the  days  spent  there  in  delightful  rambles  and  the  evenings  passed  in  luxurious  repose 
will  linger  long  in  the  memory. 

Here  I made  my  first  acquaintance  with  the  Black-billed  Cuckoo.  It  was  at  dawn, 
or  shortly  after.  We  were  wakened  by  a loud  and  continuous  and  rather  hoarse  cooing 
note.  We  rose  and  stole  out  of  the  tent,  and  upon  the  large  tree,  whose  branches  over- 
hung our  habitation,  sat  a long,  grey  bird,  with  a light  breast.  It  looked  somewhat  like 
a Pigeon,  and,  indeed,  its  utterance  bore  a certain  resemblance  to  the  croon  of  that 
bird.  It  was  not  long,  however,  before  we  knew  it  to  be  the  Cuckoo,  and  we  stood 
and  watched  it  with  interest  for  many  minutes.  After  a time  we  perceived  several 


21 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


Others  of  its  companions  noiselessly  Hitting  among  the  branches  of  some  adjacent  trees, 
and  our  first  friend  finally  joined  these  and  all  departed. 

Doubtless,  there  are  specially  favored  spots  in  every  region,  where  the  observer  will 
meet  with  the  objects  of  his  search  in  greater  variety  and  profusion  than  in  other  places, 
and  to  him  who  once  becomes  attentive  to  ornithological  pursuits,  they  will  speedily 
become  well-known  and  favorite  resorts.  Mr.  Burroughs,  a constant  observer  and  a 
charming  writer,  tells  of  a certain  hemlock  wood  where,  during  one  ramble,  he  counted 
“ over  forty  varieties.”  But  it  is  not  essential  that  multitudes  of  birds  should  be  present 
to  render  the  occupation  of  the  student  attractive.  In  fact,  it  is  not  certain  that  too 
great  a variety  would  not  be  a means  of  confusing  the  beginner.  His  attention  would 
possibly  be  diverted  from  one  specimen  to  another  with  such  rapidity  that  he  could  not 
sufficiently  familiarize  himself  with  any.  Certainly,  the  closest  observers  have  never 
made  it  a matter  of  complaint  that  objects  for  study  were  not  at  hand.  Mr.  Bradford 
Torrey,  either  from  necessity  or  choice,  made  the  Common  in  the  City  of  Boston  a field 
for  his  study  of  birds.  One  would  say  that  this  was  not  a promising  site.  In  fact,  Mr, 
Torrey  admits  that  the  place  is  not  an  ideal  one  for  such  a purpose,  though  in  justice 


22 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


to  him,  it  must  be  stated  that  it  is  not  of  the  scarcity  of  objects  that  he  complains,  but 
of  the  publicity  of  the  situation.  He  says  : “Other  things  being  equal,  a modest 
ornithologist  would  prefer  a place  where  he  could  stand  still  and  look  up  without  becom- 
ing himself  a gazing-stock.”  Nevertheless,  Mr.  Torrey  did  “stand  still  and  look  up,” 
and  to  good  purpose,  too.  He  says  : “ Within  the  last  seven  or  eight  years  1 have  watched 
there  some  thousands  of  specimens,  representing  not  far  from  seventy  species.”  That 
is  what  it  is  to  have  the  love  of  observing  and  to  know  how  to  exercise  it.  The  ordinary 
citizen  of  Boston  passes  through  the  Common  every  day  of  his  life  noticing  only  English 
Sparrows,  and  perhaps  a few  Robins.  But  Mr.  Torrey  finds  “ not  far  from  seventy  species,” 
among  them  birds  most  unlikely  to  be  in  such  a place,  as  the  Butcherbird,  the  Sapsucker, 
the  Maryland  Yellow-throat,  the  Cuckoo,  the  Kingfisher  and  the  Owl,  not  to  mention  a 
Mockingbird,  a Cardinal  Grosbeak  and  a Paroquet,  which  he  guesses  to  be  escaped 
cage-birds. 

Gilbert  White’s  researches  were  confined  to  the  single  parish  of  Selborne  in  the 
county  of  Hampshire,  England;  and  his  diaries  and  letters  to  his  friends,  “Thomas 
Pennant,  Esquire,”  and  “The  Honorable  Daines  Barrington,”  in  which  he  discusses  and 


23 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  d hcmi 


comments  upon  the  quadrupeds,  birds,  insects,  worms,  vegetables,  weather  and 
antiquities  of  his  parish,  have  been  the  delight  of  succeeding  generations  of  readers, 
whether  naturalists  or  simply  cultivated  people  of  no  especial  calling. 

“1  find,”  he  writes,  “that  that  district  produces  the  greatest  varietv  which  is  the 
most  examined  ; ” a significant  remark,  and,  coming  from  a past-master  in  his  art, 
worthy  of  full  credence.  We  may,  therefore,  be  assured  that  whatever  place  we  are  in 
will  be  found  to  offer  full  scope  for  studies  in  natural  historv.  All  that  need  concern  us 
is  lest  we  ourselves  fall  short  in  requisite  diligence. 

It  has  been  intimated  that  special  training,  if  not  special  faculties  for  precise  observa- 
tion are  needful  to  make  one  a really  good  observer.  Henry  D.  Thoreau  may  be  cited 
as  a type  of  this  sort  of  student,  and  though  his  personal  character  may  repel  one  by 
reason  of  its  intense  egotism  ; and  though  one  be  constantly  excited  to  resent  the  scorn 
with  which  he  regarded  his  fellow-men  and  which  he  did  not  hesitate  to  express  ; still 
his  reverent  love  of  nature  must  produce  sympathy,  and  his  untiring  energy  in  the 
pursuit  of  a knowledge  of  her  secrets  must  command  respect,  while  the  contemplation 
of  his  life  and  work  must  always  be  of  use  to  a person  engaged  in  similar  research. 


24 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


Thoreau  had  the  faculty  of  quick  and  accurate  observation  to  a most  extraordinary 
degree.  Emerson,  in  a biographical  sketch  of  him,  says:  “He  noted  what  repeatedly 
befell  him,  that  after  receiving  from  a distance  a rare  plant,  he  would  presently  find 
the  same  in  his  own  haunts.  And  those  pieces  of  luck  which  happen  only  to  good 
players  happened  to  him.  One  day,  walking  with  a stranger  who  inquired  where 
Indian  arrow-heads  could  be  found,  he  replied,  ‘Everywhere,’  and,  stooping  forv/ard, 
picked  one  on  the  instant  from  the  ground.  At  Mt.  Washington,  in  Tuckerman’s 
Ravine,  Thoreau  had  a bad  fall,  and  sprained  his  foot.  As  he  was  getting  up  from  his 
fall,  he  saw  for  the  first  time  the  leaves  of  Arnica  mollis/' 

Read  in  his  journals  how  he  chronicles  the  reddening  of  the  maple  buds,  the  first 
appearance  of  the  skunk-cabbage,  the  earliest  note  of  the  tree-frog,  the  arrangement  of  the 
sand  upon  the  rail-road  embankments  in  tiny  ridges  caused  by  showers  of  rain.  Nothing 
is  too  trivial  to  escape  him,  and  there  is  nothing  that  does  not  secure  the  interest  of  his 
reader  also  when  once  pointed  out  and  commented  upon  in  his  own  happy  manner. 

Not  every  one  may  hope  to  equal  White  or  Thoreau.  Eew  people  have  either  their 
talent  or  the  leisure  for  its  exercise.  But  there  are  many,  nevertheless,  whose  love  of  nature 


25 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Tlicm 


is  similar  in  kind  if  not  in  degree  to  that  which  dominated  them.  Some  of  these,  who  are 
now  simply  conscious  of  a general,  undefined  feeling  of  pleasure  when  contemplating  a 
charming  view,  and  who,  when  brought  by  chance  into  contact  with  a bird  or  an  animal 
in  its  native  haunts,  experience  only  a momentary  interest  and  admiration  at  the  sight — 
some  of  these  (and  more,  perhaps,  than  are  themselves  aware  of  any  such  predilection)  are 
fitted  to  share  that  glorious  thrill  and  glow  which  nature  bestows  with  liberal  hand  upon 
her  devotees.  If  they  have  not  already  felt  that  delight  it  is  only  because  they  have  hitherto 
slighted  her. 

Let  us  suppose  a person  of  this  kind  ; one,  susceptible  indeed  to  rural  delights,  but 
engrossed  in  other  affairs,  and  hitherto  inattentive  to  natural  incidents  or  objects.  Let  us 
suppose  some  such  incident  or  object  to  be  thrust  upon  his  sight  in  a way  strongly  to 
attract  his  notice.  Say  that  upon  one  of  his  rambles  he  finds  a bird’s  nest  containing  a 
complement  of  eggs,  and  is  struck  with  the  cleverness  of  the  structure  and  the  beauty 
of  its  fragile  contents.  Can  we  not  perceive  that  here  may  be  the  starting-point  from 
which  he  will  become  an  accomplished  observer  ? And  may  we  not  easily  fancy  the 
succeeding  steps  of  his  progress  ? His  curiosity  is  roused,  and  he  takes  his  station  near  by 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


to  await  the  coming  of  the  owner  of  the  nest.  He  is  not  long  delayed,  for  he  soon  dis- 
covers that  yonder  little  bird,  flitting  and  chirping  in  the  adjoining  thicket  with  manifest 
uneasiness  must  be  the  one  he  seeks.  After  some  time  spent  in  watching,  he  departs,  only 
to  come  next  day  and  the  next,  until  the  eggs  have  given  place  to  young  birds  ; and  now 
he  has  attained  such  dexterity  of  approach  that  he  is  able  to  come  near  enough,  himself 
undetected,  to  witness  the  parents  as  they  feed  their  fledglings.  One  day  he  arrives  when 
one  or  more  of  the  young  birds  essay  their  first  flight.  But  long  before  this  he  has  found 
means  to  inform  himself  of  the  species  of  the  birds  he  is  studying,  and  he  is  well  on  the 
way  to  become  a bird  observer.  Indeed  it  may  be  confidently  asserted  that  he  has  not 
confined  his  interest  to  this  single  group.  Led  on  by  that  pleasurable  initial  experience,  he 
has  noticed  many  other  birds  and  has  to  some  degree  studied  their  actions  too.  He  has 
learned  the  songs  of  some  kinds,  he  has  seen  them  feeding,  he  begins  to  know  in  what 
places  to  look  for  certain  varieties,  and  at  last  he  discovers  that  his  acquaintance  not  only 
with  birds,  but  with  insects,  quadrupeds,  plants  and  trees  has  become  considerable,  and  he 
is  forced  to  acknowledge  that  all  nature  has  taken  on  a new  aspect  for  him.  Moreover,  his 
daily  enjoyment  has  enormously  increased,  in  that  his  resources  have  been  multiplied 


27 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


and  his  capacity  to  comprehend  has  been  enlarged,  while  his  health,  by  reason  of  abundant 
out-of-door  exercise,  and  in  consequence  of  the  relaxation  which  comes  from  a diversity 
of  agreeable  pursuits,  has  received  great  beneht. 

It  has  been  thus  with  many  who  have  been  led  on  bv  insensible  degrees,  until  they 
have  attained  considerable  proficiency  in  natural  lore  ; and  so  it  will  doubtless  be  with 
many  more  ; and  while  it  is  not  to  be  expected  that  every  one  who  desires  an  intelligent 
understanding  of  the  subject  will  aim  to  become  a learned  scientist,  still  it  is  desirable  that 
every  one  should  start  in  the  right  direction  and  then  the  point  to  which  he  will  arrive 
may  be  safely  left  to  the  determination  of  the  manv  circumstances  and  conditions  which 
govern  the  conduct  of  each  individual. 

Concerning  that  branch  of  natural  history  termed  Ornithology,  which  we  are  here 
briefly  considering,  three  methods  of  procedure  have  been  indicated  and  advice  has  been 
given  concerning  each.  In  the  first  two,  the  student  walks  through  woods  and  forests, 
and  in  open  fields  and  meadows.  In  the  last  he  is  seated  at  ease  in  some  favorable  spot 
known  to  be  inhabited  or  frequently  visited  by  birds.  And  while  it  has  been  pointed  out 
that  each  of  these  methods  requires  different  treatment,  it  has  been  assumed  that  all  of  them 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


will  be  practised,  since  they  are  all  not  only  dependent  upon  each  other,  but  are  also 
equally  valuable  in  their  results  and  delightful  in  their  prosecution.  The  discussion  has 
been  slight,  but  sufficient,  it  is  believed,  in  connection  with  the  few  words  of  advice  which 
follow  to  start  the  novice  upon  the  right  way. 

Cultivate  a noiseless  foothill,  and  avoid  jerky  movements.  Choose  firm,  turfy  ground 
when  possible,  shunning  gravel  that  crunches,  sticks  that  snap,  or  leaves  that  rustle. 
Proceeding  through  bushes  and  undergrowth,  part  the  branches  softly  and  release  them 
with  care,  that  they  may  not  fly  back  and  by  their  swaying  alarm  the  birds.  Train  your 
ear  to  catch  every  sound  and  to  note  its  source,  not  allowing  a chirp  or  twitter  to  escape 
you  or  to  remain  unexplained.  Accustom  your  eye  to  mark  every  movement,  teaching  it 
to  discriminate  betwixt  the  wind-stirred  leaf  and  that  set  in  motion  by  bird  or  squirrel. 
All  this,  with  practice,  will  become  more  and  more  easy  until  it  will  be  accomplished 
mechanically — then,  a chirp,  which  once  would  not  have  been  heard  at  all,  or  if  by  chance 
noticed,  would  have  conveyed  no  information  beyond  the  simple  fact  that  some  unknown 
bird,  insect,  or,  it  maybe,  toad,  was  in  the  branches  of  yonder  tree,  will  now  tell  you  what 
the  creature  is  and  allure  you  to  investigations  of  delightful  interest. 


29 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


But  be  patient.  Do  not  expect  to  learn  immediately  all  there  is  to  be  known.  And 
do  not  try  to  identify  too  many  kinds  of  birds  at  the  commencement  of  your  career. 
Choose  for  your  earlier  studies  those  that  are  at  the  same  time  abundant  and  that  are 
striking  in  plumage  or  song,  or  both  ; confining  yourself  to  male  birds,  that  is  to  say, 
to  precisely  those  which  alone  as  a rule  possess  these  well-marked  characteristics.  For 
if  you  puzzle  over  each  bird  you  see,  and  with  all  your  pains  fail  to  become  satisfied 
as  to  its  identity,  you  must  be  a person  of  uncommon  perseverance,  if  you  do  not  soon 
grow  disheartened. 

You  now  probably  know  the  Robin  and  the  Crow.  Who  does  not  Well,  begin 
with  these.  Study  them.  They  alone,  if  really  studied,  are  capable  of  affording  much 
entertainment.  As  for  the  Robin  you  need  not  leave  the  precincts  of  your  own  garden 
to  find  him.  But  there  are  other  birds  probablv  not  known  to  you,  and  yet  always 
present  in  great  numbers,  which  you  may  immediately  add  to  your  list  for  present  study  ; 
confident  that  after  reading  about  them  in  the  books  you  will  recognize  them  on  sight  ; 
or  even  should  you  chance  to  meet  them  without  preparation  that  vou  will  be  able  to 
identify  them  by  subsequent  reference  to  the  books.  They  are  the  Red-winged  Black- 


30 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


bird,  the  Catbird,  the  Thrush  (at  first  you  will  not  be  able  to  say  which  one  of  the 
Thrushes),  the  American  Goldfinch,  the  Baltimore  Oriole,  the  Cuckoo,  the  Flicker,  the 
Hummingbird,  the  Indigo-bird,  the  Bobolink,  the  Meadowlark,  the  Scarlet  Tanager,  the 
Bluebird,  the  Summer  Redbird,  the  Blue  Jay,  the  Chickadee,  the  Kingfisher,  the  Chimney 
Swift,  the  Barn  Swallow,  the  Owl  and  Woodpecker  (perhaps  the  particular  kind  of  these 
last  two  will  puzzle  you),  the  House  Wren,  the  Cedarbird,  and,  after  you  have  learned 
the  song,  the  Song  Sparrow. 

This  is  no  mean  catalogue,  and,  when  you  have  become  familiar  with  the  birds 
comprising  it,  you  will  feel  that  you  have  added  to  the  number  of  your  acquaintances  a 
very  goodly  company.  But  before  this  is  accomplished,  and  it  will  not  require  a long 
time  to  do  it,  you  will  have  unconsciously  learned  to  know  many  less  easily  distinguished 
birds  among  the  Flycatchers  and  Warblers,  not  to  mention  some  of  the  more  soberly 
attired  partners  of  those  birds  which  have  been  mentioned. 

In  selecting  such  a list  as  has  been  given  however,  it  must  be  borne  in  mind  that 
some  of  these  birds  vary  in  color  according  to  the  time  of  year.  The  Bobolink,  for 
example,  in  Spring  and  Summer  is  strongly  marked  with  white,  black  and  bull",  while  in 


31 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  riicm 


the  Fall  he  becomes  streaked  with  dilTerent  shades  of  brown.  The  American  C'joldhnch  in 
Summer  is  bright  yellow  vcith  a black  crown  ; in  the  Fall  the  black  on  his  head  disappears 
and  the  yellow  of  his  body  fades  to  a pale  brown.  And  the  Indigo-bird  does  not  attain  to 
his  full  brilliancy  of  plumage  until  he  has  been  with  us  some  time.  The  books,  however, 
v/ill  apprise  you  of  such  changes  and  no  serious  trouble  on  this  score  need  be  apprehended. 

Prepare  for  yourself,  therefore,  a list  somewhat  similar  to  that  which  has  here  been 
given  of  easily  distinguished  birds  which  vou  mav  expect  to  meet,  and  seek  and  study 
them.  When  you  see  a brown,  plainly  marked  bird,  observe  it  indeed,  and  even  transfer 
what  you  may  of  it  to  your  note-book,  but  do  not  puzzle  too  long  in  the  attempt  to 
name  it.  Close  your  memoranda  by  writing  “name  unknown.”  Rest  assured  that  your 
knowledge  will  surely  augment,  and  such  entries  will  occur  less  and  less  frequently. 
It  is  interesting  and  oftentimes  helpful  to  consult  colored  plates.  But  owing  to  the  great 
expense  of  really  good  ones,  not  everybody  can  do  this.  An  extremely  good  plan  is  to 
make  an  occasional  visit  to  the  institutions  where  stuffed  specimens  are  kept,  such  as  the 
various  museums  of  natural  history.  Here  it  may  easilv  happen  that  a glance  will  set  at 
rest  doubts  that  a long  period  of  field  or  book  study  will  fail  to  solve. 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


The  suburban  dweller,  who  is  able  to  continue  his  observations  through  every 
month  of  the  year,  will  have  the  privilege  of  watching  the  coming  and  going  of  the 
birds  in  their  migrations,  and,  knowing  the  periods  of  these,  will  be  enabled  to  inspect 
each  species  as  it  arrives,  forewarned,  so  to  speak,  of  the  name  of  the  particular  bird 
he  may  expect  to  see.  The  great  advantage  that  an  observer  so  circumstanced  will 
possess  over  him  whose  country  life  is  limited  to  a few  months  of  the  Summer,  when  the 
birds  are  present  in  bewildering  confusion,  is  obvious.  The  celebrated  scientist,  John 
Tyndall,  when  illustrating  in  a lecture  on  Sound  the  value  of  previous  information  concern- 
ing what  was  to  be  expected  from  an  experiment,  relates  an  incident  in  his  acquaintance 
with  Faraday.  He  says  : “I  had  everything  arranged,  when,  just  before  I excited  the 
magnet,  he  laid  his  hand  upon  my  arm  and  asked,  ‘ What  am  1 to  look  for  ? ’ ” And  then 
he  adds  that  even  “that  prince  of  experimenters  felt  the  advantage  of  having  his  attention 
directed  to  the  special  point  in  question.”  just  so  it  is  with  the  student  of  birds.  When 
told  that  the  Song  Sparrow  arrives  early  in  March  ; that  it  is  streaked  above  with  red  and 
brown  ; that  it  has  a chestnut  crown  ; and  that  its  song  is  “one  high  note  thrice  repeated 
and  then  a canary-like  cadenza  ; ” and  when  early  in  March  he  hears  such  a song,  and. 


33 


Oiir  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Tliem 


detecting  the  singer,  remarks  that  its  appearance  corresponds  with  the  above  description, 
he  entertains  no  manner  of  doubt  that  it  is  the  Song  Sparrow  which  he  is  regarding. 

Again  : he  is  told  that  the  Bluebird  comes  also  early  in  March  ; that  the  upper  part  of 
its  body  is  blue,  its  breast  reddish,  its  belly  whitish  ; and  its  song  is  “a  soft,  pleasing 
warble,  uttered  both  when  dying  and  when  at  rest.”  When  at  such  time  he  meets  such 
a bird,  there  can  be  no  room  for  mistake  in  its  identification. 

The  opportunity  for  watching  the  coming  and  going  of  the  birds  is  indeed  most 
advantageous  for  the  student,  and  a calendar  of  their  arrivals  and  departures  is  here 
appended. 

During  the  months  of  January  and  February  the  following  birds  are  usually  to  be  found, 
though  few  of  them  are  numerous,  while  in  severe  winters  the  greater  part  will  probably 
be  driven  southward  : White-throated  Sparrows,  Chickadees,  White-bellied  Nuthatches, 
Winter  Wrens,  Cedarbirds,  Shrikes,  Golden-crowned  Kinglets,  Horned  Larks,  Pine,  and 
Purple  Finches,  Juncos,  Snow  Buntings,  Crows,  Blue  Jays,  Kingfishers,  Red  Crossbills, 
American  Goldfinches,  Meadowlarks,  Hoot  Owls,  Screech  Owls,  Snowy  Owls,  Saw-whet 
Owls,  Hairy,  and  Downy  Woodpeckers,  Flickers,  Robins  and  Bluebirds. 


34 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


March 

I to  lo  Robins,  Bluebirds  and  Song  Sparrows  come  in  small  numbers. 

I o to  20  These  become  more  plentiful,  and  Purple  Crackles  and  Red-winged  Blackbirds 

appear.  Purple  Finches  and  Flickers  receive  accessions,  and  Fox  Sparrows 
may  be  seen  on  their  northward  migration. 

Snowy  Owls  retire  northward. 

20  to  31  All  these  become  still  more  numerous.  Meadowlarks  are  recruited,  and  Phoebes 
and  Vesper  Sparrows  begin  to  come. 

Pine  Finches,  Horned  Larks,  Snow  Buntings  and  Shrikes  go  north, 

April 

I to  10  Kingfishers  are  recruited.  Red-headed  Woodpeckers  pass.  Myrtlebirds  and 
Ruby-crowned  Kinglets  appear,  though  these  go  farther  north  in  a few 
weeks.  Yellow-bellied  Sapsuckers,  Cowbirds  and  Flermit  Thrushes 
arrive. 


35 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


April 

lo  to  20  Palm  Warblers  pass.  Field  Sparrows  and  (diippini,^  Sparrows  come. 

Red  Crossbills  leave  for  the  north. 

20  to  30  White-throated  Sparrows,  (diewinks,  Chimney  Swifts,  Brown  Thrashers  and 
House  Wrens  appear. 

Winter  Wrens  go  north.  Most  of  the  Fox  Sparrows  have  passed. 

May 

I to  10  Whip-poor-wills,  Catbirds,  Barn,  and  Bank  Swallows,  Kingbirds,  Oven-birds, 
Wilson’s  Thrushes,  Wood  Thrushes,  Blue  Yellow-backed  Warblers, 
Yellow  Warblers,  Black-throated  Blue  Warblers,  Black  and  White  Warb- 
lers, Chestnut-sided  Warblers,  Solitary  Vireos,  White-eyed  Vireos,  Yellow- 
throated  Vireos,  Redstarts,  Grasshopper  Sparrows,  Rose-breasted  Gros- 
beaks, Baltimore  Orioles,  and  Yellow-breasted  Chats  arrive. 

Juncos  and  Golden-crowned  Kinglets  go  north.  Ritby-crowned  Kinglets  also 
resume  their  northward  flight. 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


May 

10  to  20.  Magnolia  Warblers,  Bay-breasted  Warblers,  and  Blackburnian  Warblers  may 
be  seen  on  their  northern  migrations.  Bobolinks,  Orchard  Orioles,  Red- 
eyed Vireos,  Wood  Pewees,  Scarlet  Tanagers,  Maryland  Yellow-throats, 
Black-throated  Green  Warblers,  Worm-eating  Warblers,  Hooded  Warblers, 
Cuckoos,  Indigo-birds,  Great  Crested  Flycatchers,  Least  Flycatchers  and 
Hummingbirds  come. 

White-throated  Sparrows  leave  for  the  north.  Hermit  Thrushes  become  less 
common,  most  of  these  also  retiring  northward.  Myrtlebirds  also  resume 
their  northward  journey 

20  to  31.  Black-poll  Warblers  and  Yellow-bellied  Flycatchers  pass,  going  north.  Marsh 
Wrens  appear,  and  one  may  hope  for  an  occasional  sight  of  a Cardinal 
Grosbeak. 

During  June,  July  and  August  the  birds  effect  little  change  of  locality,  ns  nests  have 
been  constructed  and  the  duties  of  incubation  assumed.  In  many  cases  young  birds  have 


37 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


entered  into  existence  nnd  by  their  immature  and  changing  plumage  have  added  to  the 
difficulties  which  the  unaccustomed  observer  has  already  had  in  identifying  specimens. 
Indeed,  unless  the  student  has  by  this  time  made  considerable  progress  in  his  acquaintance 
with  birds,  he  will  now  experience  that  embarrassment  which  arises  from  a superabund- 
ance of  material,  and  will  find  the  number  of  birds  present  bewildering  to  classify,  both 
because  of  the  great  variety  and  because  of  the  dissimilarity  of  the  male,  female  and  young 
of  each  species. 

Let  him,  however,  not  despair  ; much  may  still  be  done  by  observation,  and  even 
from  the  order  of  their  retirement  specimens  may  be  identified. 

Sept. 

I to  15  Wilson’s  Thrushes,  Yellow-breasted  Chats,  Yellow  Warblers,  Hooded  Warblers, 
Barn  Swallows,  Bank  Swallows,  Baltimore  Orioles,  Kingbirds,  Whip-poor- 
wills,  and  Hummingbirds  now  go  south. 

Blackburnian  Warblers,  Magnolia  Warblers  and  Yellow-bellied  Flycatchers 
pass  on  their  southern  migration. 

38 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


Sept. 

1510  30  Wood  Thrushes,  Chimney  Swifts,  Yellow-throated  Vireos,  Redstarts,  Wood 
Pewees,  Great  Crested  Flycatchers,  Rose-breasted  Grosbeaks,  Indigo-birds, 
Orchard  Orioles,  Worm-eating  Warblers,  Chestnut-sided  Warblers,  Cuckoos 
and  Bobolinks  follow. 

Red-headed  Woodpeckers,  ^ay-breasted  Warblers,  Palm  Warblers,  Myrtle- 
birds  and  Ruby-crowned  Kinglets  pass,  going  south. 

Juncos  arrive  from  the  north. 

Oct. 

I to  15  Hermit  Thrushes,  Grasshopper  Sparrows,  Marsh  Wrens,  House  Wrens,  Cat- 
birds, Brown  Thrashers,  Red-eyed  Vireos,  Solitary  Vireos,  White-eyed 
Vireos,  Cowbirds,  Scarlet  Tanagers,  Black  and  White  Warblers,  Blue 
Yellow-backed  Warblers,  Black-throated  Blue  Warblers  and  Least  Fly- 
catchers go. 

White-throated  Sparrows  pass.  Golden-crowned  Kinglets,  Horned  Larks, 
Pine  Finches  and  Winter  Wrens  appear. 


39 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


Oct. 

15  to  31  Oven-birds,  Maryland  Yellow-throats,  Son£>:  Sparrows,  (diipping  Sparrows,  Field 
Sparrows,  Phcrbes,  Chewinks  and  Black-throated  (jfeen  Warblers  ^o  ; so 
do  the  most  of  the  Flickers,  Purple  Finches,  and  Yellow-bellied  Sapsuckers. 

Fox  Sparrows  and  Black-poll  Warblers  now  visit  ns  as  they  go  south. 

Nov. 

I to  15  Purple  Crackles,  Vesper  Sparrows,  and  Red-winged  Blackbirds  now  go,  also 
most  of  the  Meadowlarks,  Robins  and  Bluebirds  ; leaving  us  our  Winter- 
resident  birds. 

Snow  ‘Buntings  and  Shrikes  arrive. 

Just  what  prominence  to  give  to  the  purely  scientific  phase  of  Ornithology  in  a book 
of  the  limited  scope  and  modest  pretensions  of  this  one  is  not  easy  to  determine.  But 
that  some  attention  should  be  bestowed  upon  this  branch  of  the  subject,  seems  advisable 
for  several  reasons.  Continual  reference  is  made  in  bird  literature  to  family,  species  and 
genus,  and  a clear  conception  of  just  what  these  terms  mean  is  essential  to  the  reader. 
Again,  even  though  a knowledge  of  the  common  names  only  of  birds  be  all  that  is  at  first 
intended,  the  time  will  shortly  arrive  when  the  Latin  name  will  be  applied,  and  when  this 
is  done,  the  genus,  the  species,  and  sometimes  the  sub-species,  is  indicated  by  the  simple 


40 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


use  of  the  name.  The  Latin  name  of  the  Hermit  Thrush  is  Turdiis  aonalaschkce  pallasU ; 
lurdiis  being  the  genus,  aonalaschkce  the  species  and  pallasii  the  sub-species.  Again,  the 
Latin  name  of  the  Wood  Thrush  is  Turdiis  miisteliniis.  Here  Tiirdiis  is  the  genus,  and 
musteliniis  the  species.  And  finally,  when  the  Manuals  and  Keys  are  used  in  identifying 
specimens,  some  familiarity  with  scientific  terms  and  nomenclature  is  absolutely  needful 
for  an  intelligent  perusal  of  the  volumes. 

It  is  thought  therefore  that  these  considerations  justify  the  insertion  of  a few  remarks 
of  a somewhat  scientific  character. 

Naturalists  have  arranged  the  kinds  of  birds  in  many  divisions  and  sub-divisions.  As 
an  illustration  of  such  arrangement  Dr.  Coues  in  his  Key  gives  the  following  example  of 
the  classification  of  one  bird,  namely,  Alice’s  Thrush  : 


Kingdom,  Animalia  : Animals. 

Branch,  Vertebrata  : Back-boned  Animals. 

Province,  Sauropsida  : Lizzard-like  Vertebrates. 
Class,  Aves : Birds. 

Sub-class,  CarinatcB : Birds  with  Keeled  Breast-bone. 
Order,  Passeres  : Perching  Birds. 

Sub-order,  Oscines  : Singing  Birds. 


Family,  Turdidcc  : Thrush-like  Birds. 
Sub-family,  7'urdina; : True  Thruslres. 
Genus,  7'itrdus  : Typical  Thrushes. 
Sub-genus,  llylocichla  : Wood  Thrushes. 
Species,  Ustulatus  : Olive-backed  'Thrush. 
Sub-species,  Alicice  : Alice’s  Thrush. 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


A scale  of  sixteen  steps  is  recommended  in  the  Code  of  the  American  Ornithologist’s 
Union  as  being  “adequate  to  all  practical  requirements  of  even  a refined  system  of  classi- 
fication.” 


It  is  as  follows  : 


1 Kingdom. 

2 Sub-kingdom. 

3 Class. 

4 Sub-class. 


Super-order. 

6 Order. 

7 Sub-order. 

8 Super-family. 


9  Family, 
lo  Sub-family. 
1 I Genus. 

12  Sub-genus. 


I ■?  Species. 

14  Sub-species. 
I s Variety. 

16  Individual. 


It  would  indeed  seem  to  a layman  that  these  sixteen  grades  afforded  sufficient  scope 
for  the  classification  of  any  ordinary  bird. 

All  birds,  whether  living  or  extinct,  belong  to  the  Class  Aves.  In  this  Class  there  are 
five  sub-classes,  viz. : 


SaURUR/E. 

OoONTOTORM.4’:. 

Odontolc.^. 


42 


Ratit/e. 

Carinat.^. 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


The  last  two  are  the  only  ones  of  which  there  are  living  specimens  and  it  is  only  con- 
cerning birds  which  belong  to  the  last  sub-class  of  all,  that  is  CarinaT/^,  that  we  have 
here  to  deal. 

Birds  of  this  sub-class  are  characterized,  besides  other  particulars,  by — 

The  keeled  breast-bone, 

A special  adaptation  to  flight,  and 
The  absence  of  teeth. 

The  sub-class  Carinat.t-:  is  separated  into  the  following  Orders  : 


1 Pygopodes  : Diving  Birds. 

2 Longipennes  : Long-winged  Swimmers. 

3 Tubinares  : Tube-nosed  Swimmers. 

d Steganopodes  : Totipalmate  Swimmers. 

5 Anseies  ; Lamellirostral  Swimmers. 

6 Odontoglossre  : Lamellirostral  grallatoies. 

7 Herodiones  : Herons,  Storks,  Ibises,  etc. 

8 PaludicoUe  : Cranes,  Rails,  etc. 

9 Lirnicolae  : Shore  Birds. 


lo  Gallime  : Gallinaceous  Birds. 

1 1 Columbae  : Pigeons. 

12  Raptores  : Birds  of  Piey. 

I "5  Psittaci  : Parrots,  Macaws,  Paroquets,  etc. 
iq  Coccyges  : Crfckoos,  etc. 

15  Pici  : Woodpeckers,  Wrynecks,  etc. 

1 6 Macrocliires  : Goatsuckers,  Swifts,  etc. 

1 7 Passeres  : I^a'ching  Birds. 


43 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


And  into  the  following  sub-orders  : 

1 Podicipedes  : Grebes. 

2 Cepphi  : Loons  and  Auks. 

' Ibides  : Spoonbills  and  Ibises. 

4 Ciconiae  : Storks,  etc. 

5 Herodii  : Herons,  Hgrets,  Bitterns,  etc. 

6 Grnes  ; Cranes. 

7 Ralli  : Rails,  Gallinules,  Coots,  etc. 

<S  Phasiani  : Pheasants,  Grouse,  Partridges, 
Quails,  etc. 

9 Penelopes  ; Curassows  and  Guans. 
lo  Saicorhamphi  : American  Vultures. 


11  Falcones:  Vultures,  Falcons,  Hawks,  Buzzards, 

Fagles,  Kites,  Harriers,  etc. 

1 2 Striges  ; Owls. 

I ■;  CucLili  : Cuckoos,  etc. 

14  Trogones  : Trogons. 

15  .Alcyones  : Kingfishers. 

10  Caprimulgi  : Goatsuckers,  etc. 

I 7 Cypseli  : Swifts. 
iS  Trochili  ; Hummingbirds. 

19  Clamatores  : Songless  Perching  Birds. 

20  Oscines  : Song  Birds. 


And  these,  again,  into  sixty-six  families  and  fortv-six  sub-families,  and  into  genera, 
species  and  varieties  to  a bewildering  extent. 

There  are  about  one  thousand  kinds  mentioned  in  the  Check  List  of  the  American 
Ornithologist’s  Union,  some  of  which  are  not  properly  North  American  Birds  ; and  Dr. 
Coues  in  his  Key  describes  nearly  nine  hundred  varieties,  including  birds  like  the  Skylark, 


44 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


which,  he  says,  “occurs  as  a straggler  from  Europe  in  Greenland,  and  also,  it  is  said,  in 
Bermuda  and  Alaska,” — and  the  Great  Auk,  of  which  he  writes,  “It  seems  very  im- 
probable that  the  species  lived  down  to  1870,”  having  “lost  the  use  of  his  wings  and 
perished  off  the  face  of  the  earth  in  consequence.” 

It  is  not  likely  that  the  unprofessional  observer  will  meet  with  one-quarter  of  this 
number.  Indeed,  three  hundred  kinds  would  be  a great  many  to  be  observed  by  the  most 
enthusiastic  and  diligent  professional  ornithologist  in  any  one  locality. 

The  birds  forming  the  little  collection  described  in  this  book,  are  embraced  under  five 
of  the  Orders,  viz.  : 

Raptores,  Coccyges,  Pici,  Macrochires  and  Passeres,  and  belong  to  the  following  families : 


Bubonidse. 

Trochilidae. 

Tanagridae. 

Mniotiltidae. 

Cuculidae. 

Tyrannidie. 

Hirundinidre 

Troglodytidae. 

Alcedinidse. 

Alaudidas. 

AmpelidcC. 

ParidiE. 

Picidae. 

Corvidae. 

Laniidae. 

SylviidiE,  and 

Capriniulgidae. 

Icteridae. 

Vireonid^e. 

Turdidre. 

Micropodida?. 

Fringillidie. 

They  are  representatives  of  eleven  sub-families  and  number  ninety  individuals. 


A table  is  here  given  which  is  intended  to  show  at  a 
glance  the  order,  sub-order,  family  and  sub-family  of  each 
bird. 

Ordhr — Raptorks.  Birds  of  Prey. 

Sub-order  Striges.  Owls. 

Family  Buhonidcc.  Horned  Owls,  etc. 


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Sub-order  Cypseli.  Swifts. 


Family  Tvrannida\  Tyrant  Flycatchers. 


Kingbird. 

Great  Crested  Flycatcher. 
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Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher. 


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Sub-family  Corvin.'F.  Crows. 


Family  TauagricUv,  Tanagers. 

Scarlet  Tannger. 

Summer  Tannger  (or  Summer  Redbird). 


Family  JroglOilytidLV.  Wrens, Thrashers,  etc. 

Sub-family  Mimin.-f,.  Thrashers. 


White-breasted  (or  bellied)  Nuthatch. 


Our  Common  Birds  and  How  to  Know  Them 


The  largest  family  of  North  American  birds  is  the  Fringillidce,  and  comprises  Finches, 
Buntings,  Sparrows,  Linnets,  Crossbills,  Grosbeaks,  etc.  The  observer  will  meet  numbers 
of  these  and  will  doubtless  at  first  find  it  difficult  to  identify  many  of  them.  The  next 
largest  family  that  he  will  have  to  examine  is  the  Mniotiltidce  or  Wood-warblers,  a family 
perhaps  still  more  difficult  of  identification,  since  they  are  mostly  small,  shy  birds,  im- 
patient of  close  inspection  and  songsters  of  small  ability.  Dr.  Cones  calculates  that  these 
two  families  constitute  about  one-fourth  of  the  species  inhabiting  any  one  inland  locality. 
Flycatchers  and  Vireos  are  also  usually  abundant  and  are  likewise  not  the  easiest  of  birds 
to  identify.  But,  with  few  exceptions,  and  referring  always  to  the  males  only,  the  birds 
of  the  remaining  families  can  be  easily  learned.  They  present  such  notable  features  of 
plumage,  song  or  habits  that  they  need  only  to  be  seen  or  heard  to  make  identification 
certain. 


PLATES 

AND 


DESCRIPTIVE  TEXT 


PLATE  I.— ACADIAN  OWL.  SAW-WHET  OWL 


Nyctala  acadica. 

Above  reddish-brown  spotted  with  white  ; beneath  grayish-white 
splashed  with  brown  ; much  white  on  throat  and  neck  ; tail  somewhat 
barred  ; iris  yellow  ; bill  and  claws,  dark.  Length,  8 inches. 

Resident.*  The  smallest  of  oLir  Owls,  and,  though  from  its  shyness  not  frequently 
seen,  not  an  uncommon  bird.  It  nests  in  hollow  trees  or  stumps,  or  in  holes  in  rocks. 
Audubon  says:  “The  sound  of  its  love-notes  bears  a great  resemblance  to  the  noise  pro- 
duced by  filing  the  teeth  of  a large  saw."  It  is  this  similarity  which  has  gained  the  bird 
its  common  name  Saw-whet. 


It  is  believed  that  no  individual  bird  inhabits  permanently,  that  is  throughout  the  year,  any  one  locality,  but 
that  all  birds  are  migratory.  Some  species,  as  tlie  American  Goldfinch,  the  Chickadee  and  the  Hairy,  and  Downy 
Woodpeckers,  usually  have  representatives  here  at  all  seasons.  But  the  individuals  seen  in  Winter  have  spent  the 


55 


PLATE  II.  HOOT  OWL. 


PLATE  11. -GREAT  HORNED  OWL.  HOOT  OWL. 


Bubo  virginianus. 

Mottled  all  over  with  brown,  gray,  tawny  and  black  ; a light  collar 
about  the  throat  ; large  ears  tufted  ; iris  yellow  ; bill  and  claws  black. 
Length,  21.4“)  inches. 

Resident.  One  of  the  largest  of  our  Owls,  and  so  tierce,  that  when  slightly  wounded 
he  is  a formidable  antagonist. 

Said  to  breed  in  February.  Nests  in  trees.  Though  somewhat  variable  in  color,  the 
light  collar  is  always  present. 

Summer  farther  north,  those  seen  in  Summer  having  gone  southward.  Tliese,  and  other  birds  of  similar  habits, 
are  here  classed  Resident. 

Some  of  the  Warblers  visit  us  for  a few  weeks  as  they  pass  northward  in  the  Spring,  and  southward  in  the 
Fall.  Some  birds,  as  the  Snowtlake,  are  seen  here  only  in  Winter.  Others,  as  the  Swallow,  the  House  Wren  and 
many  more,  come  only  in  Summer.  Birds  with  such  habits  are  here  classed  Migratory. 


57 


PLATE  III.  SNOWY  OWL. 


LITTLE  HORNED  OWL  SCREECH  OWL  RED  OWL 


Megascops  asio. 

Mottled  with  black,  brown  and  gray  ; ears  tufted  ; iris  yellow  ; bill 
and  clav/s  horn  color.  Length,  9.40  inches. 

Resident.  Breeds  in  stumps,  holes  of  trees  or  in  buildings.  The  commonest  Owl  we 
have,  but  so  variable  in  color  that  the  above  slight  description  must  not  be  regarded  as 
universal.  It  is  sometimes  mottled,  sometimes  brown  and  sometimes  red,  “ entirely  in- 
dependent,” as  Dr.  Cones  remarks,  “of  age,  season  or  sex.” 


PLATE  III.— SNOWY  OWL 

Nvciea  nyctea. 

White,  spotted  all  over  with  brown,  except  on  face,  throat  and  legs, 
which  are  immaculate  ; iris  yellow  ; bill  and  claws  dark.  Length, 
23.50  inches. 


59 


PLATE  IV.  BLACK-BILLED  CUCKOO. 


“This  remarkable  owl,”  says  Dr.  Coues,  “ conspicuous  in  size  and  color,  abounds  in 
the  boreal  regions  of  both  hemispheres,  whence  it  comes  southward  irregularly  in  Winter, 
sometimes  raiding  in  large  numbers.  With  us,  it  is  of  every  Winter  occurrence  in  the  North- 
ern and  Middle  States,  sometimes  even  pushing  its  way  to  the  Carolinas  and  Texas  ; there 
being  no  part  of  the  United  States  where  it  may  not  appear  at  that  season.  It  is  far  from 
being  exclusively  nocturnal,  and  hunts  abroad  in  the  day-time  as  readily  as  any  hawk.” 


PLATE  IV.— BLACK-BILLED  CUCKOO. 

Coccy:ius  erythrophthalmus. 

Above  olive-green  ; beneath  white  ; a circle  of  red  skin  around  the 
eye  ; bill  black,  long  and  arched  ; tail  long  and  rounded.  Length, 
11.80  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  late  in  September.  Nests  in  bushes.  Call 
kuk-htik-huk-kuk,  many  times  repeated,  commencing  rapidly,  but  with  slower  enunciation 
at  the  close.  The  sound  does  not  in  the  least  suggest  the  note  of  the  European  variety, 
neither  does  it  resemble  the  common  pronunciation  of  its  name.  It  has  a hoarse  quality, 


however,  which  distinguishes  it  from  the  utterance  of  any  other  bird.  He  who  once  hears 
the  note  will  at  once  feel  sure  of  its  identity. 

Mr.  Burroughs  writes  of  the  (dickoo : “ Nothwithstanding  the  disparity  of  size  and 
color,  the  black-billed  species  has  certain  peculiarities  that  remind  one  of  the  passenger- 
pigeon. 

“ His  eye,  with  its  red  circle,  the  shape  of  his  head,  and  his  motions  on  alighting  and 
taking  tlight,  ciuickly  suggest  the  resemblance  ; though  in  grace  and  speed,  when  on  the 
wing,  he  is  far  inferior.  His  tail  seems  disproportionately  long,  like  that  of  the  red  thrush 
(Brown  Thrasher),  and  his  tlight  among  the  trees  is  very  still,  contrasting  strongly  with 
the  honest  clatter  of  the  robin  or  pigeon.” 

The  Yellow-billed  Cuckoo  (Coccy^iis  awericaiius)  is  a more  southern  bird,  much 
less  frequently  seen  here  than  the  Black-billed,  which  it  closely  resembles.  Its  salient 
peculiarities  are  that  it  has  no  red  around  the  eyes,  its  lower  mandible  is  yellow,  and 
it  has  large  white  blotches  on  the  under  side  of  its  tail. 

Its  nest  is  very  slightly  constructed  and  is  commonly  placed  in  a tree. 


PLATE  V.— BELTED  KINGFISHER. 


Ceiyle  a I cyan. 

Above  ashy  blue ; a band  of  the  same  across  the  breast ; remainder 
of  underparts  and  a spot  before  the  eye  white  ; tail  sciuare,  banded  and 
spotted  with  white  ; head  large,  and  splendidly  crested  ; bill  long,  black  ; 
feet  dark.  Length,  13  inches. 

Resident,  except  when  driven  sonthward  by  excessive  cold,  Note,  a loud  rattle. 
Nests  in  holes  dug  in  a drv,  sandy  bank.  Its  haunts  are  brooks  and  river-banks,  where  it 
may  be  seen  stationed  upon  some  overhanging  branch  ready  to  plunge  into  the  stream 
after  its  prey. 

Watch  it,  and  it  will  soon  dart  down  into  the  water  with  a heavy  splash,  and  then 
mount  again  to  its  perch,  generally  bearing  a fish  in  its  beak.  The  tl sh  is  beaten  upon  the 
limb  until  killed,  or  until  the  spines  of  its  fins  have  been  crushed,  after  which  it  is  swallowed, 
a feat  of  seeming  difficulty  and  little  apparent  enjoyment,  and  only  accomplished  after 
much  gulping  and  stretching  of  neck,  jerking  of  wings  and  contortion  of  body. 

Now  draw  nearer,  and  the  bird  will  take  its  fight,  springing  its  rattle  with  angry  in- 

63 


PLATE  V.  BELTED  KINGFISHER 


tonation  as  it  goes,  but  alighting  again  at  no  great  distance  beyond,  and  always  following 
the  course  of  the  stream. 

Thus  gently  urged  along,  it  will  make  many  successive  short  flights  before  taking  its 
final  departure. 

The  phrase  “halcyon  days”  is  derived  from  a legend  concerning  this  bird.  The 
Halcyon  (Kingfisher),  was  believed  to  build  its  nest  upon  the  water,  where,  with  its  com- 
plement of  eggs,  it  floated  out  to  sea,  the  parent  bird  meanwhile  brooding  and  exerting 
the  occult  power  possessed  by  it  of  preventing  storms  or  tempests  during  the  period  of 
incubation.  The  continuance  of  this  elemental  peace  and  quietude  was  called  “halcyon 
days,”  and  later,  all  times  of  tranquility,  whether  physical  or  moral,  came  to  bear  the 
same  appellation.  Another  common,  classical  mention  of  the  Kingfisher,  and  more  than 
once  referred  to  by  Shakespeare,  indicates  that  the  stuffed  skin  of  this  bird,  suspended 
by  a thread,  was  used  by  the  ancients  as  a weather-vane.  One  can  readily  perceive 
that  the  skin  of  a bird  might  be  so  adjusted  that  the  beak  must  always  point  to  the 
source  of  the  wind.  That  the  Kingfisher  alone  was  selected  for  this  purpose  is  probably 
due  to  its  handsome  appeara-nce,  and  to  the  ease  with  which  it  would  be  possible  to 
discern  the  position  of  its  beak  and  magnificent  head. 


65 


PLATE  Vi.  HAIRY  WOODPECKER. 


PLATE  VI.— HAIRY  WOODPECKER. 

Drvobales  villosiis. 


.Head  black,  with  a white  streak  under  and  one  over  the  eye,  and 
with  a scarlet  band  on  the  crown  : back  black,  with  a white  stripe  down 
the  centre — “the  feathers  composing  this  stripe  are  loose  and  unwebbed, 
resembling  hairs  ; ” beneath  white  ; wings  black,  much  spotted  with 
white ; tail  black,  the  two  outer  pairs  of  feathers  white  ; bill  and  legs 
black.  Length,  9.40  inches. 

Resident.  Flight  undulatory.  Nests  in  a hole  which  it  has  dug  in  a tree  situated 
commonly  in  the  woods.  Its  call  is  a harsh  scream. 

Closely  resembling  the  Hairy  Woodpecker  in  tippearance  and  habits,  but  smaller,  is 
the  Downy  Woodpecker  (Dryobates  pubescens). 

A peculiarity  of  this  bird,  sufficient  to  prevent  confounding  it  with  the  preceding,  is, 
that  its  white  outer  tail-feathers  are  barred  with  black. 


6/ 


PLATE  VII.  YELLOW-BELLIED  SAPSUCKER. 


PLATE  VII.— YELLOW-BELLIED  WOODPECKER.  YELLOW- 

BELLIED  SAPSUCKER. 

Sphvrapiciis  varius. 


Crown  crimson,  inclosed  by  a half-moon  of  black,  and  that  similarly 
bordered  for  most  of  its  circumference  by  a band  of  yellowish-white  ; 
back  mottled  with  black  and  yellowish-white  : sides  of  head  yellowish- 
white,  cut  by  a black  streak  which  passes  through  the  eye  ; throat  and 
upper-breast  black,-  with  a large  crimson  patch  on  chin  ; remainder  of 
under-parts  yellowish-white,  marked  on  the  sides  with  brown  ; wings 
black,  much  barred,  spotted  and  tipped  with  white;  tail  black,  with  a 
white  streak  down  the  centre,  wedge-shaped,  the  feathers  pointed  and 
some  of  them  bordered  with  white  ; bill  and  feet  dark.  Length,  8.55 
inches. 

The  Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker  is  represented  here  at  all  times  of  the  year  ; but  only 
during  Spring  and  Fall  is  it  present  in  any  considerable  force. 

Dr.  Coues  writes  : “ Birds  of  this  remarkable  genus  feed  much  upon  fruits  as  well  as 

6g 


PLATE  VIII.  RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER. 


insects,  and  also  upon  soft,  inner  bark  ; they  injure  fruit-trees  by  stripping  off  the  bark, 
sometimes  in  large  areas,  instead  of  simply  boring  holes. 

“Of  the  several  small  species  (of  Woodpeckers)  commonly  called  ‘ Sapsuckers,’  they 
alone  deserve  the  name.  In  declaring  war  against  Woodpeckers,  the  agriculturist  will  do 
well  to  discriminate  between  this  somewhat  injurious  and  the  highly  beneficial  species.” 

Its  nest  is  in  a hole  which  it  has  dug,  usuallv  in  a dead  forest-tree. 

It  has  a number  of  harsh  cries. 

PLATE  Vlll.— RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER. 

Melanerpes  eryihrocepbalns. 

Head  and  neck  all  round,  crimson  ; back  black  to  rump,  which  is 
white;  lower  breast  and  belly  white  ; wings  black,  with  a broad  white 
band  ; tail  black,  somewhat  tipped  with  white,  rounded,  and  feathers 
pointed  ; bill  and  feet  dark.  Length,  9.75  inches. 

Migratory.  Seen  here  most  frequentlv  in  the  Spring  and  Fall.  Digs  a hole  for  ti  nest 
in  a tree  in  wood  or  orchard.  Its  note  is  high-pitched  tind  resembles  that  of  a tree-frog. 

A paragraph  in  the  columns  of  the  New  York  Tribune,  in  the  Fall  of  iSqo,  stated  that 
a bird  of  this  species  fluttered  one  night  tigainst  a window  of  the  editorial  room,  doubtless 


r 


PLATE  IX  FLICKER. 


attracted  and  confused  by  the  lights.  The  bird  was  admitted,  allowed  to  rest,  and  then 
speeded  on  its  way. 

The  writer  was  walking  one  Autumn  in  the  City  Hall  Park  of  Nev/  York  City,  and 
observed  a number  of  people  earnestly  regarding  some  object  high  up  on  the  trunk  of  a 
neighboring  tree.  He  asked  a boot-black  what  they  were  all  looking  at,  and  was  told, 
‘‘A  Woodchuck  is  up  in  that  ’ere  tree.”  Curious  to  witness  a Woodchuck  in  so  unusual 
a situation,  the  writer  joined  the  concourse  of  gazers,  and  soon  perceived  a fine  Red-headed 
Woodpecker  clamber  into  sight  from  the  further  side  of  the  tree-trunk,  drumming  assidu- 
ously and  wholly  unconscious  of  the  excitement  and  interest  he  was  provoking.  Thinking 
it  a good  opportunity  to  bestow  a bit  of  ornithological  knowledge,  the  writer  informed  his 
boot-black  friend  that  the  bird  was  a Woodpecker.  “O  yes,”  was  the  rejoinder,  “we 
calls  ’em  Woodchucks.” 

PLATE  IX.— FLICKER.  GOLDEN-WINGED  WOODPECKER. 

CLAPE.  HIGH-HOLE. 

Colaptes  auratiis. 

Sides  of  head,  throat  and  breast  lilac-brown,  with  black  patches  on 
cheeks  and  a large  black  half-moon  on  breast  ; back  brown  barred  with 


73 


PLATE  X.  WHIP-POOR  WILL, 


black  ; belly  ashy,  with  many  black  spots  ; tail  black  above,  golden 
beneath,  rounded,  the  feathers  pointed  ; lining  of  wings  golden  ; rump 
white  ; scarlet  crescent  on  nape ; bill  and  feet  dark.  Length,  12.60  inches. 

A resident  species  ; the  majority  of  them,  however,  coming  in  March  and  leaving 
by  November.  No  bird  has  attracted  more  universal  attention  and  interest  than  this  one, 
a fact  due,  perhaps,  no  less  to  its  size  than  to  its  great  beauty  and  admirable  proportions. 
As  might  be  expected,  it  bears  many  local  names  ; according  to  one  authority,  thirtv-six. 
Its  nest  is  built  in  a hole,  dug,  often  in  solid  wood,  high  up  in  a tree  ; hence  one  of  its 
commonest  popular  names,  High-hole.  Audubon  writes,  “Its  note  is  merriment  itself, 
as  it  imitates  a prolonged  and  jovial  laugh,  heard  at  a considerable  distance.” 

The  black  crescent  on  the  breast  is  very  prominent,  and  is  clearly  discernible  when 
the  bird  is  at  rest,  and  the  white  rump  is  equally  conspicuous  during  Ihght.  The  observer 
will  lind  no  difficulty  in  identifving  this  handsome  species  on  sight. 

PLATH  X.— WHIP-POOR-WILL 

Antrostomns  vociferus. 

Mottled  all  over  with  reddish-brown,  gray-black  and  soiled  white  ; 
a white  collar  on  neck  ; many  bristles  around  the  mouth  ; tail 


75 


PLATE  XI.  CHIMNEY  SWIFT. 


rounded  and  with  patches  of  white  on  its  under  side.  Length,  9.75 
indies. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  about  the  middle  of  September.  Builds  no 
nest,  but  lays  its  eggs  on  the  ground  or  upon  a stump.  It  is  a nocturnal  bird,  lying  closely 
in  cover  by  day,  and  consequently  not  often  seen  ; at  night,  however,  its  call,  clearly  sug- 
gesting its  common  name,  is  frequently  heard,  a mournful,  but  not  disagreeable,  sound. 

In  general  appearance  the  Whip-poor-will  resembles  the  Night  Hawk. 

• PLATE  Xl.^CHIMNEY  SWIFT. 

Chcetiira  pelagica. 

Sooty  brown  all  over  except  the  throat,  which  is  light  gray  ; eyes 
surrounded  by  a black  skin  ; wings  long,  extending  when  folded  beyond 
the  tail  ; tail  short,  spiny,  square.  Length,  5.40  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  here  about  April  30,  and  leaves  late  in  September.  Although  the 
Chimney  Swift  superficially  resembles  the  Swallow,  it,  in  fact,  has  no  real  affinity  with 
that  bird,  and  the  common  practice  of  naming  it  a Swallow  is  an  error.  Its  closest  afhnity 
is  with  the  Hummingbird,  which  is  its  only  superior  in  the  art  of  dying. 


77 


It  inhabits  chiinneys  or  hollow  trees,  in  which  it  builds  nests  of  twigs  glued  together 
with  its  own  saliva. 

Its  note  is  a sw'allow-like  twitter,  and  it  is  ecjuallv  vokilde  whethei'  upon  the  wing  or 
in  its  nest. 

Seeininglv  rejoicing  in  its  niarvelous  power  of  flight,  it  is  never  seen  to  alight  except 
in  chininevs,  but  it  feeds  its  young,  captures  its  insect  prey,  and  even  breaks  twigs  from 
trees  for  nest  construction  while  flying. 

RUBY-THROATHI)  HUMMIN('.BIRI). 

Trochiliis  colubris. 

Above  briglit  metallic  green  ; beneath  light  gray  ; sides  of  body 
greenish  ; throat  riiby-red  ; wings  and  tail  dusky  violet,  the  latter  deeply 
forked  ; bill  straight,  long  and  dilated  at  the  tip.  Length,  3.75  inches. 

Migratorv.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  in  September.  Its  nest,  which  is  a tiny 
affair,  is  usually  placed  on  the  upper  side  of  a limb ; it  is  made  of  lichens  and  is  lined 
with  vegetable  down. 


78 


The  humming  noise,  which  has  occasioned  its  popular  name,  is  pi'oduced  by  the 
air  set  in  vibi'ation  by  the  extraoi'dinarily  I'apid  beats  of  its  wings  when  it  poises  over 
the  dower  from  which  it  extracts  both  honey  and  the  insects  which,  like  itself,  at'e 
fond  of  that  sweet  substance,  or  perhaps  are  entrapped  in  its  viscous  grasp.  Its  only 
utterance  is  a sharp  chirp  or  squeak. 

No  bird  is  so  easily  or  quickly  tamed  as  this,  or  so  difficult  to  maintain  alive  when 
in  captivitv.  A lady  friend  of  the  writer  once  found  one  on  her  porch  overcome  bv  the 
coldness  of  an  unseasonable  Summer  day.  She  took  it  to  her  I'oom  and  revived  it 
by  the  warmth  of  her  hands,  and  soon  had  the  satisfaction  of  seeing  it  flitting  about 
with  apparent  cheerfulness,  hovering  over  some  potted  plants  or  alighting  on  her  hand 
or  head  with  charming  confidence.  The  bird  was  detained  for  several  weeks,  fed  mean- 
while on  sweetened  water  presented  to  it  by  means  of  a medicine  dropper,  into  the 
tube  of  which  it  thrust  its  long  bill,  poising  itself  in  the  air  for  the  operation. 

One  fine,  bright  day  it  darted  out  through  an  opened  window  and  was  seen  no  more. 


79 


PLATE  XII.  KINGBIRD. 


■^1 


PLATE  XII.— KINGBIRD.  BEE-MARTIN. 

Tyranmis  tyrannus. 


Above  dark  ash  ; beneath  white  shaded  with  light  ash  ; head  black, 
with  an  erectile  crest  in  which  is  a spot  of  red  : tail  black,  square  and 
with  a terminal  white  band;  wing-feathers  much  edged  with  white; 
bill  and  feet  black.  Length,  8.50  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  early  in  September.  It  is  brave  and  pugna- 
cious, bullying  small  birds  and  attacking  large  ones. 

Against  the  Crow  particularly  it  seems  to  bear  special  enmity,  and  it  charges  this 
‘‘  dusky  marauder  ” on  sight  with  equal  fury  and  pertinacity.  In  such  an  encounter  it  would 
be  natural  to  suppose  that  the  Crow’s  many  times  greater  size  would  be  sure  to  give  it  the 
advantage.  This,  however,  is  not  the  case.  The  Crow  does  not  attempt  even  to  defend 
itself,  much  less  to  retaliate,  but  dies  stolidly  on,  seeking  safety  only  in  llight. 

The  honey-bee  affords  a most  highly-prized  tidbit  to  the  Kingbird,  and  the  gratification 
of  the  bird’s  taste  has  earned  for  it  the  name.  Bee-martin.  A swarm  of  bees  consists  of  so 
many  individuals  that  the  disappearance  of  an  occasional  worker  is  no  great  loss  to  the 
insect  community.  But  when  it  happens  that  the  queen  bee,  out  on  her  single  wedding 

81 


flight,  is  snapped  up  by  a discriminating  Kingbird,  then  a calamity  indeed  has  befallen  the 
swarm  which  can  only  be  remedied  by  manufacturing  another  queen,  an  operation  in- 
volving both  time  and  trouble.  Fortunately  the  Kingbird  atones  for  its  lapses  into  bee-diet 
by  devouring  great  quantities  of  harmful  insects. 

PLATE  XIIL— GREAT  CRESTED  ELYCATCHER. 

Myiarchiis  crinitus. 

Above  olive-green,  darkest  on  the  head,  which  is  crested  ; throat 
and  breast  ash  ; belly  yellow  ; wings  and  tail  reddish-brown,  the  former 
with  a pale,  transverse  bar,  and  the  latter  long  and  nearly  even  ; bill 
and  feet  dark.  Length,  9 inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  about  May  10,  leaves  about  September  2s.  Builds  its  nest  in 
trees  and  is  said  to  use  the  cast  off  skins  of  snakes  in  its  construction.  This  constant  use 
of  snake-skins  is  commonly  supposed  to  be  in  accordance  with  a desire  to  frighten  off 
marauders  by  the  display  of  what  they  shall  haply  take  to  be  the  live  presence  of  their 
dreaded  common  enemy.  A recent  writer  states  that  in  all  the  nests  of  the  Great 
Crested  Flycatcher  found  by  him,  only  once  was  the  snake-skin  absent,  and,  in  this 

83 


PLATE  XIV.  PHCEBE, 


instance,  upon  his  second  visit,  he  found  a skin  ostentatiously  displayed,  whence  he 
conjectured  that  his  first  visit  had  alarmed  the  birds,  and  that  they  had  subsequently  pro- 
vided themselves  with  the  talisman  and  put  it  in  place  with  a view  to  avert,  if  not  a 
recurrence  of  the  intrusion,  at  least  any  danger  as  a result  of  it.  The  note  of  the  bird  is 
harsh  and  unmusical. 

PLATE  XIV.-PHCEBE. 

Sayornis  phoebe. 

Head  dark  brown,  with  a slight  erectile  crest ; back  and  sides  of 
body  dull  olive-brown  ; underparts  soiled  white  with  yellow  tinges  ; 
wings  and  tail  dusky,  their  feathers  somewhat  edged  with  lighter ; bill 
and  feet  black.  Length,  7 inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  late  in  March,  leaves  late  in  October.  It  commonly  builds  its 
nest  under  the  eaves  of  buildings,  or  under  a ledge  of  rock. 

Closely  resembling  the  Phoebe  in  note,  habits  and  appearance,  is  the  Wood  Pewee, 
( Contopus  virens).  Both  the  Phoebe  and  the  Wood  Pewee  are  tlycatchers,  and  seize  their 
prey  upon  the  wing.  Both  give  utterance  to  a drawling,  mournful  note  quite  similar  in 
sound  ; that  of  the  Phoebe  being  slightly  the  more  abrupt  of  the  two,  as  pee-wit  rather 
than  pee-ee-wee-ee. 


85 


PLATE  XV.  YELLOW-BELLIED  FLYCATCHER. 


The  Phoebe  also  is  the  larger  bird,  and  both  of  its  mandibles  are  black,  while  the  lower 
mandible  of  the  Pewee  is  lighter  than  its  upper  one.  The  Pewee  nests  in  trees. 

A characteristic  habit  common  to  both  of  these  birds  is  that  of  drooping  wings  and 
tail  as  they  perch,  presenting  a languid  appearance  quite  in  keeping  with  the  lugubrious 
tone  of  their  note.  Let  an  unwary  lly  approach,  however,  and  this  lassitude  quickly 
vanishes.  A lightning  dart  with  unerring  aim,  a snap  of  the  beak  audible  at  a distance  of 
several  yards  ; a twist,  almost  a somersault  in  the  air,  is  made,  the  bird  regains  his  station 
and  resumes  his  despondent  attitude,  and  there  is  one  less  insect  abroad. 

PLATE  XV.— YELLOW-BELLIED  FLYCATCHER. 

Em pido nax  flaviveutri s . 

Head  and  body,  above  olive-green;  beneath  greenish-yellow,  except 
on  the  belly,  where  the  yellow  is  pure ; a yellowish  ring  encircles  the 
eye ; vUngs  brown  with  yellowish  bands ; tail  brown,  square ; bill 
broad,  the  upper  mandible  dark  brown,  the  lower  one  pale.  Length, 
5.60  inches. 

Migratory.  This  Flycatcher  does  not  nest  here.  It  is  rather  abundant,  however, 
when  on  its  migrations,  and  may  be  seen  during  the  last  three  weeks  of  May ; and,  again, 

87 


PLATE  XVI.  LEAST  FLYCATCHER. 


as  it  goes  southward,  during  most  of  the  month  of  September.  The  note  is  a soft  pe-a 
given  in  a languid,  drawn-out  way,  suggestive  of  the  first  syllable  of  the  Pewee’s  plaintive 
utterance. 

PLATE  XVI. -LEAST  ELYCATCHER. 

Empidouax  mi n im  us . 

Above  gray,  with  a green  tinge,  darkest  on  the  head  and  growing 
lighter  towards  the  rump ; beneath  dull  white,  but  darker  and  with 
olivaceous  tinges  on  the  breast  and  sides ; a pale  ring  around  the  eye  ; 
wings  dark,  many  of  the  feathers  pale-edged  ; tail  dusky,  square  ; bill 
dark  ; feet  black.  Length,  5.40  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  early  in  October.  The  nest  is  usually  placed 
in  the  crotch  of  a small  tree  at  no  great  height  from  the  ground.  This  little  bird  frec^uents 
orchards  or  light  woods,  sometimes  even  gardens,  for  it  is  very  sociable.  Dr.  Brewer 
makes  mention  of  a pair  which  built  in  a honeysuckle  attached  to  his  piazza  where  they 
reared  their  brood  unmindful  of  the  constant  presence  of  the  family.  The  note  is  peculiar, 
and,  once  heard,  will  be  instantly  recognized.  It  is  uttered  quickly,  and  has  been  written 
variously  as  chebec,  cadet  and  sewick.  The  first  is  closest  to  the  actual  sound. 

89 


PLATE  XVII.  BLUE  JAY. 


mi 


PLATE  XVII.— BLUE  JAY. 

Cyanocitta  cristata. 

Above  light  blue  ; head  splendidly  crested  ; cheeks,  throat  and 
under-parts  bluish  white  ; wings  and  tail  a darker  blue,  barred  with 
black,  and  many  of  the  feathers  broadly  tipped  with  white  ; a black 
band  encircles  the  neck  ; tail  much  rounded  ; mouth,  tongue,  bill  and 
legs  black.  Length,  11.75  inches. 

A thieving,  mischievous,  handsome  creature.  It  devours  the  eggs  and  young  of  other 
birds,  and  feeds  also,  upon  acorns,  chestnuts,  berries,  fruit,  corn,  insects,  caterpillars,  etc. 
Nests  in  trees  and  bushes.  Much  of  great  interest  has  been  written  about  the  Blue  Jay  ; 
see,  for  example,  Thoreau’s  Succession  of  Forest  Trees  ; Olive  Thorne  Miller’s  A Bird  of 
Affairs,  and  an  amusing  though  unscientific  chapter  in  Mark  Twain’s  Tramp  Abroad. 

Samuels  says:  “Its  notes  consist  of  a shrill  cry  like  jay -jay -jay,  repeated  often  and  in 
a high  key  ; a shrill  whistle  like  wheeo-wbeeo-wheeo  ; a hoarse  rattle  and  an  exceedingly 
sweet,  bell-like  note.” 

The  Blue  Jay  is  a permanent  resident  here.  Although  large  flocks  may  be  seen 
traveling  southward  in  the  Autumn,  the  number  of  the  birds  does  not  seem  to  be  dimin- 
ished in  our  woods  during  Winter.  The  difference,  in  respect  of  domiciliation,  between 

91 


PLATE  XVIII.  AMERICAN  CROW. 


their  Summer  habits  and  those  of  Winter  is  that,  when  breeding,  the  individuals  remain  con- 
stant to  one  locality ; but  after  the  nesting  season  is  done,  they  roam  about,  their  movements 
being  governed  bv  the  distribution  of  favorable  feeding  grounds  rather  than  by  an  instinct 
of  migration. 

PLATE  XVIII.— AMERICAN  CROW.  CROW. 

Corviis  americanus. 

No  description  is  needed  to  identify  this  well-known  bird.  The 
following  is  DeKay’s,  and  is  sufficiently  explicit;  “Black  and  glossy, 
with  violet  retlections.  Tail  slightly  ronnded,  extending  but  little  be- 
yond the  wings.  Tail  feathers  somewhat  acute.”  Length,  1Q.30  inches. 

Resident.  Most  of  the  year  gregarious  ; but  late  in  May,  it  pairs,  and  breeds.  The 
nest  is  roughly  made  of  sticks,  leaves  and  grass. 

Its  hoarse  caw  is  a familiar  sound,  and,  with  few  varving  inllections,  is  its  only  utter- 
ance. A walker. 

HORNED  LARK. 

Otocoris  alpestris. 

Above  lilac-brown,  the  leathers  edged  with  a lighter  tinge,  and  the 
brown  on  shoulders  and  rump  redder  than  elsewhere  ; forehead,  chin, 

93 


PLATE  XIX,  BOBOLINK, 


throat,  and  sides  of  head  yellow  ; a black  stripe  commencing  at  the 
bill  runs  back  through  the  eye  then  downwards  on  the  cheek  ; a black 
crescent  on  the  throat ; belly  white  ; breast  spotted  ; sides  of  body  lilac- 
brown  ; a black  tuft  on  each  side  of  the  head  connected  by  a black 
band  across  the  crown  ; wings  brown,  their  feathers  somewhat  edged 
and  tipped  with  lighter ; tail  notched,  the  middle  feathers  brown, 
the  others  black,  but  the  outermost  ones  with  white  edges  ; bill  and 
feet  dark.  Length,  7.2^  inches. 

Migratory.  A Winter  visitor.  Arrives  fro/ii  the  north  in  small  flocks  in  October, 
returns  in  March. 

PLATH  XIX.— BOBOLINK.  REEDBIRD. 

Dolichonyx  oryiivorus. 

In  Spring  and  Summer,  breast,  wings  and  tail  black  ; hind  neck 
cream-color ; back  and  rump  white  ; bill  and  legs  brown. 

In  Fall,  yellowish-brown,  streaked  with  darker.  Length,  7.55  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  late  in  September.  During  the  breeding 


PLATE  XX.  COWBIRD, 


season  a vigorous  and  persistent  singer.  Samuels  calls  its  song  “a  most  curious,  incom- 
prehensible, jingling,  roundabout,  joyous,  laughable  medley.”  When  the  young  have 
flown,  the  Bobolink  loses  its  bright  plumage  and  its  rollicking  song,  and  indulges  for  the 
remainder  of  its  sojourn  in  nothing  more  melodious  than  a peculiar  chirp. 

A bird  of  the  meadows,  and  nests  upon  the  ground. 


PLATE  XX.— COWBIRD. 

Molothrus  ater. 

General  color  iridescent  black;  head  and  neck  deep  brown;  tail 
square  ; bill  and  feet  black.  Length,  7.90  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  April,  leaves  early  in  October.  The  Cowbird  does  not 
pair,  it  builds  no  nest,  and  the  hatching  of  its  eggs  is  imposed  upon  some  other  bird  after 
the  fashion  of  the  European  Cuckoo.  It  is,  in  short,  a polygamist,  a parasite,  and  altogether 
“a  bird  of  loose  principles.”  It  is  found  in  flocks,  usually  in  the  company  of  cattle, 
and  has  a harsh  call,  suggesting  the  syllables  cluck -see -see.  A walker. 


97 


PLATE  XXf.  RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD. 


PLATE  XXl.-RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD. 

Agelains  phcenicetts. 


General  color  black,  with  a greenish  lustre  ; shoulders  crimson 
bordered  with  buff ; tail  full  and  rounded  ; bill  and  legs  black,  the 
former  thick  at  the  base.  Length,  9.50  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  March,  leaves  early  in  November.  Nests  usually  in  low 
bushes  in  meadows  or  marshes. 

After  breeding,  large  flocks  collect  and  are  said  to  consume  great  quantities  of  grain. 
Its  call  has  been  rendered  quonk-a-ree.  A walker. 


PLATE  XXII.  MEADOWLARK. 


PLATE  XXIL— MEADOWLARK. 


Sturnella  magna. 

Back  brown  spotted  with  black  ; breast  bright  yellow,  with  a large 
black  crescent ; a yellow  stripe  over  the  eye  and  one  on  the  crown  ; tail 
feathers  pointed,  the  outer  ones  white  ; legs  and  feet  tlesh-color.  Length, 
10.75  inches. 

Resident  ; though  not  numerous  in  Winter.  Most  of  these  birds  come  late  in  March 
and  leave  late  in  the  Fall. 

The  Meadowlark  nests  on  the  ground  in  open  fields,  sometimes  in  marshes.  It  is  a 
walker  and  flies  clumsily  and  with  manifest  labor.  Its  note  is  a plaintive  whistle. 


lOI 


PLATE  XXIIl.  ORCHARD  ORIOLE. 


PI,ATF  XXlll. -ORCHARD  ORIOLE. 

Icterus  spur  ins. 


Breast  and  belly  chestnut ; head,  neck  and  upper-back  black  ; lower- 
back  chestnut ; wings  black  with  chestnut  shoulders  and  a transverse 
band,  some  of  the  quills  edged  with  lighter ; tail  rounded,  black,  some 
of  its  quills  tipped  with  lighter ; bill  and  feet,  dark.  Length,  7.30  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  middle  cf  September.  Nests  in  trees, 
oftenest  in  orchards.  The  structure  is  woven  in  the  same  manner  as  that  of  the  Baltimore 
Oriole,  but  unlike  the  latter,  it  is  placed  upon  the  branch  and  is  not  dependent  from  it. 
“The  Orchard  Oriole,”  to  quote  Nuttall,  “is  an  exceedingly  active,  sprightly  and  restless 
bird  ; in  the  same  instant,  almost,  he  is  on  the  ground  after  some  fallen  insect,  fluttering 
amidst  the  foliage  of  the  trees,  prying  and  springing  after  his  lurking  prey  ; or  flying,  and 
tuning  his  lively  notes  in  a manner  so  hurried,  rapid  and  seemingly  confused,  that  the  ear 
is  scarce  able  to  thread  out  the  shrill  and  lively  syllables  of  his  agitated  ditty.  Between 
these  hurried  attempts,  he  also  gives  others  which  are  distinct  and  agreeable  ; but  still  his 
tones  are  neither  so  full  nor  so  mellow  as  those  of  the  brilliant  and  gay  Baltimore.” 


103 


BAI.TIMORH  ORIOl.H.  FIRHHIRI). 


Ic/enis  gci/hiila. 

Head,  neck,  throat  and  upper-back  black  ; lower-back,  breast  and 
belly  brilliant  orange ; wings  black,  with  a patch  of  orange  on  shoulders, 
a white  transverse  band  and  some  tippings  and  edgings  of  white  ; tail 
full,  nearly  square,  with  two  large  teriniiral  patches  of  orange ; feet  and 
bill  black.  Length,  7.50  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  about  September  1 5.  It  builds  an  elaborate 
nest,  which  is,  says  Nuttall,  “a  pendulous,  cylindrical  pouch  usually  suspended  from  near 
the  extremities  of  the  high,  drooping  branches  of  trees  such  as  the  elm,  the  pear  or  apple 
tree,  wild  cherry,  weeping  willow,  tulip  tree  or  buttonwood.” 

Its  popular  name  was  given  it  because  the  black  and  orange  of  its  plumage  were  the 
colors  forming  the  livery  of  the  first  Lord  Baltimore. 

An  abundant  and  beautiful  bird,  with  a piping  note,  lively  and  agreeable  in  quality  but 
limited  in  scope. 

A pair  of  Baltimore  Orioles  have  made  their  nest  for  several  successive  seasons  in  an 
elm  near  the  house  in  which  the  writer  has  passed  many  Summers,  and  it  is  needless  to  say 


104 


that  these  birds  are  always  watched  with  interest,  from  their  advent  until  their  departure. 
One  morning  the  unusual  actions  of  the  female  led  to  the  discovery  that  one  of  the  young, 
half-hedged  nestlings  had  fallen  to  the  ground,  where  it  was  struggling  helplessly.  It  was 
carefully  taken  up  and  a straw  was  observed  protruding  from  its  mouth.  The  straw  had 
been  mostly  svcallowed,  and  resisted  the  gentle  force  that  was  used  for  its  extraction. 
Rather  hard  pulls  were  then  given,  which  must  have  been  distressing  to  that  part  of  the 
bird’s  anatomy  to  which  the  swallowed  end  was  anchored.  At  last  the  straw  broke, 
leaving  an  end  visible,  but  beyond  reach  far  down  the  throat,  so  that  nothing  more  could 
be  done  to  take  it  away.  A box  lined  with  cotton  was  then  provided,  the  young  bird 
placed  in  it,  and  hauled  up  close  to  the  nest  by  means  of  a string.  After  this  the  parent 
birds  were  seen  feeding,  or  trying  to  feed,  the  sufferer  ; but  all  was  in  vain.  The  little 
one  died. 


105 


PLATE  XXIV.  PURPLE  CRACKLE. 


PLATE  XXIV.— PURPLE  CRACKLE.  COMMON  CROW 

BLACKBIRD. 

Quiscalus  quiscula. 

Clossy  black  all  over ; iridescent  on  head  and  neck ; tail  long  and 
rounded;  eyes  light  yellow;  bill  and  feet  black.  Length,  12.50  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  March,  leaves  early  in  November.  Its  nest  is  a roughly 
built  affair,  made  of  any  trash  plastered  with  mud,  and  is  irregularly  placed  on  tree,  bush 
or  ground.  The  bird  is  gregarious  even  during  the  breeding  season,  but  in  August  it  may 
be  seen  in  immense  docks,  in  company  with  equally  large  numbers  of  Red-winged  Black- 
birds foraging  in  the  grain  fields,  where  they  create  sad  havoc.  The  tail  of  the  Purple 
Crackle  is  what  is  called  a keel  or  boat-tail.  It  is  very  much  rounded,  and  during  flight 
the  outer  quills  slant  upwards  in  such  fashion  as  to  cause  a depression  in  the  centre  with  a 
corresponding  rise  on  each  side,  suggesting,  it  must  be  confessed  remotely,  the  keel  and 
sides  of  a boat. 

The  bird’s  notes  are  harsh  and  discordant,  and  many  of  its  attitudes  are  ungraceful, 
but,  nevertheless,  it  is  not  without  beauty.  The  gloss  of  its  black  coat  and  the  sheen  of 
purple  and  violet,  green  and  blue  upon  its  head  and  breast,  compel  admiration.  A walker. 


107 


PLATE  XXV.  PURPLE  FINCH. 


PLATE  XXV.-PURPLE  FINCH. 


Carpodactis  piirpiireus. 

Body  crimson,  paler  on  rump  and  belly ; back  streaked  with 
brown  ; wings,  brown,  some  of  the  feathers  edged  with  reddish ; tail, 
tlie  same  color  as  the  wings,  forked;  bill  conical,  horn-color;  feet 
brown.  Length,  6.20  inches. 

Resident.  Nests  in  trees,  sometimes  rather  high  in  the  branches.  It  is  difficult  to 
say  why  this  bird  has  been  called  purple.  Dr.  Coues  writes  : “The  shade  of  red  is  very 
variable,  almost  anything  but  purplish.”  Mr.  Burroughs  has  caught  the  purple  tint;  he 
says:  “The  color  is  peculiar,  and  looks  as  if  it  might  have  been  imparted  by  dipping  a 
brown  bird  in  diluted  pokeberry  juice.  Two  or  three  more  dippings  would  have  made 
the  purple  complete.” 

The  song  of  the  Purple  Finch  is  a charming  one,  which  coupled  with  the  gentle 
deportment  and  trustful  and  social  disposition  of  the  bird,  renders  it  a general  favorite. 

During  the  breeding  season  it  pairs  ; but  after  parental  duties  are  over,  it  is  generally 
seen  only  in  small  flocks. 


[09 


PLATE  XXVI.  AMERICAN  CROSSBILL. 


PLATE  XXVI.— AMERICAN  CROSSBILL.  RED  CROSSBILL 


Loxia  ciirvirostra  minor. 

General  color  red ; darkest  on  the  back,  and  with  a gray  tinge  on 
the  belly  ; wings  and  tail  dark  brown,  the  latter  forked ; mandibles 
crossed  at  tips.  Length,  6.20  inches. 

“Irregularly  migratory,”  says  Dr.  Coues,  “according  to  exigencies  of  weather  and 
food-supply,  * * coming  southward  in  docks  in  the  Fall.” 

Wilson  writes  : “On  first  glancing  at  the  bill  of  this  extraordinary  bird,  one  is  apt  to 
pronounce  it  deformed  and  monstrous  ; but  on  attentively  observing  the  use  to  which  it  is 
applied  by  the  owner,  and  the  dexterity  with  which  he  detaches  the  seeds  of  the  pine-tree 
from  the  husks  that  enclose  them,  we  are  obliged  to  confess  * * that  no  other  confor- 
mation could  have  been  so  excellently  adapted  to  the  purpose.  * * p has  a loud,  sharp 

and  not  unmusical  note.  It  chatters  as  it  flies.” 


AMERICAN  GOLDFINCH.  YELLOWBIRD.  THISTl.EBIRD. 

Spill  US  tristis. 


In  Summer  the  body  is  bright  yellow,  shading  to  white  towards 
the  tail ; crown  black  ; wings  black,  some  of  the  feathers  edged  with 
white  ; tail  the  same,  slightly  forked  ; bill  and  feet  llesh-color. 

In  Fall  it  loses  the  black  on  the  crown,  and  the  yellow  of  the  body 
becomes  brownish-olive  above,  grayish-white  below,  tinged  with 
yellow.  Length,  5.  lo  inches. 

Resident.  Nests  in  trees  or  tall  bushes.  Flight  undulatory.  It  has  several  plaintive 
calls  and  a song  of  considerable  length  but  of  little  power,  which  is  suggestive  of  the 
canary. 

Care  must  be  taken  not  to  confound  the  American  Goldfinch  with  the  Summer  Yellow- 
bird.  The  two  birds  are  not  sufficiently  similar  in  appearance  to  make  this  caution 
needful,  but  verbal  confusion  does  sometimes  occur,  because  one  of  the  popular  names  of 
the  American  Goldfinch  is  Yellowbird,  while  the  most  commonly  used  name  of  the  Yellow 
Warbler  is  Summer  Yellowbird.  It  would  be  well  if  the  example  of  the  A.  O.  U.  Check- 


112 


list  were  followed  and  one  were  invariably  called  the  American  Goldfinch,  and  the  other 
the  Yellow  Warbler. 

Although  the  American  Goldfinch  is  a resident  species,  and  has  representatives  here 
both  Summer  and  Winter,  as  Autumn  progresses  it  will  be  gradually  lost  sight  of  by  the 
observer  who  is  a beginner.  But  as  the  Goldfinch  has  faded  from  sight,  an  unfamiliar 
bird,  apparentlv  a new  comer,  will  have  challenged  attention — a small  bird,  yellowish- 
white  beneath  and  with  a greenish-brown  back.  It  will  be  difficult  to  believe  that  this 
soberly  attired  bird  is  the  same  smart  little  fellow  who  was  seen  in  Summer  in  livery  of 
brightest  black  and  yellow.  But  so  it  is  ; he  has  laid  aside  all  brilliancy  of  plumage.  No 
black  remains,  and  but  little  yellow.  To  the  superficial  observer  he  is  no  longer  the  Gold- 
finch, but,  an  unknown,  insignificant,  uninteresting  little  brownish  bird. 

Through  the  Winter  he  wears  this  inconspicuous  suit.  He  remains  in  flocks.  He 
roves  about,  now  here  now  there,  where  facilities  for  obtaining  food  tempt  him.  But  in 
Spring,  when  the  dandelions  show  yellow,  so  does  he.  Then  he  no  longer  roves  in 
Hocks,  but  pairs  and  builds  his  nest.  Travelling  some  unfrequented  country  road  you  will 
come  across  him  swaying  on  a thistle-top  in  the  Summer  breeze  ; or.  bounding  before 
you  in  graceful  curves  through  the  air,  he  will  precede  you  with  several  short  successive 
flights  as  you  saunter  along  ; no  brighter,  cheerier,  prettier  creature  alive  than  he. 


PLATE  XXVII.  PINE  SISKIN. 


PLATE  XXVII.— PINE  SISKIN.  PINE  EINCH.  PINE  LINNET. 

Spinus  pinus. 

Above  streaked  with  greenish-brown  and  dingy  white ; beneath 
dingy  white  streaked  with  light  brown  ; wings  dnsky,  with  two  light 
bands  and  many  of  the  feathers  edged  with  lighter;  tail  dnsky,  the 
feathers  with  lighter  edges,  forked  ; the  whole  body  has  a tinge  of 
yellow,  most  noticeable  on  the  rnmp  and  on  the  tail-feathers  ; bill  and 
feet  brown.  Length,  4.75  inches. 

Migratory.  A Winter  visitor,  seen  here  in  flocks  from  October  to  March.  Flight 
undulatory.  Mr.  Burroughs  describes  its  song  as  “ singularly  secret  and  elusive  * * * 

delicate  and  plaintive  ; a thin,  wavering,  tremulous  whistle,  which  disappoints  one, 
however,  as  it  ends  when  it  seems  only  to  have  begun.”  He  elsewhere  calls  this  Finch  : 
“A  dark  brown  or  brindlish  bird  allied  to  the  common  Yellowbird,  which  it  much 
resembles  in  its  manners  and  habits.”  It  nests  in  trees,  and,  conformably  to  the  sug- 
gestion conveyed  by  its  name,  oftenest  in  those  of  the  pine  species. 


PLATE  XXVIII.  SNOWFLAKE. 


PLATE  XXVIIL— SNOWFLAKE.  SNOW  BUNTING. 

Piectrophenax  nivalis. 


In  full  plumage  the  middle  of  the  back,  the  two  innermost  tail- 
feathers  and  the  ends  of  some  of  the  wing-feathers  black ; all  else  white. 

In  its  Winter  plumage,  as  it  is  seen  here,  the  white,  particularly  on 
the  head,  is  tinged  with  reddish-brown,  and  a brown  collar  almost 
completely  encircles  the  neck.  Bill  light;  legs  dark.  Length,  6.90 
inches. 

Migratory.  A Winter  visitor,  and  seen  here  always  in  flocks.  Breeds  in  the  arctic 
regions. 

FIELD  SPARROW. 

Spi^ella  pusilla. 

Crown  chestnut ; back  streaked  with  dull  red,  black  and  dull  white  ; 
cheeks,  throat  and  breast  pale  brown  ; belly  white ; a light  line  over 
the  eye ; wings  and  tail  brown,  many  of  the  feathers  pale-edged — the 


17 


PLATE  XXIX.  VESPER  SPARROW, 


wings  witli  two  liglit  bands;  bill  pale  red;  feet  light.  Length,  5,65 
inches. 


Migratory.  Arrives  late  in  April  and  is  seen  in  flocks  inhabiting  the  open  fields 
and  road-sides.  In  May  it  pairs  and  builds  a nest  which  is  placed  sometimes  in  low 
bushes  and  sometimes  upon  the  ground.  At  this  season  its  simple  song  is  heard,  a 
warble  of  little  variety,  but  uttered  by  the  male  bird  with  commendable  vigor  and 
persistency,  as,  perched  upon  a stump  or  low  branch  close  by,  he  watches  over  his 
brooding  mate.  In  September  docks  are  again  formed,  and,  late  in  October,  or  early  in 
November,  all  depart. 


PLATE  XXIX.— VESPER  SPARROW.  BAY-WINGED  BUNTING. 

GRASS  FINGH. 

Pooca^tes%graniineus. 

Above  light  brown  streaked  with  darker;  beneath  yellowish- 
white  streaked  on  breast  and  sides  with  brown  ; wings  light  brown, 
reddish  on  the  shoulders,  and  with  two  pale  bands  ; tail  slightly  notched, 


'9 


PLATE  XXX.  WHITE-THROATED  SPARROW. 


.2 


the  outermost  feathers  almost  entirely  white  ; bill  and  feet  pale.  Length, 
6.10  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  late  in  March,  leaves  early  in  November.  Oftenest  found  in- 
habiting up-lying  fields  and  pastures,  and  along  the  road-sides.  Nests  on  the  ground. 
Its  sweet  song,  with  a likeness  to  that  of  the  Song  Sparrow,  is  frequently  continued  until 
after  sunset,  whence  the  pretty  name  Vesper  Sparrow. 

“When  disturbed  by  day,”  Mr.  Burroughs  writes,  “they  tly  with  a quick,  sharp 
movement,  showing  the  two  white  quills  in  the  tail.” 


PLATE  XXX.— WHITE-THROATED  SPARROW.  PEABODY  BIRD. 

Zonotrichia  albicollis. 

Head  with  one  central  white  stripe,  then  two  black  ones,  and  then 
two  stripes  which  are  yellow  from  bill  to  eye  and  white  beyond  ; cheeks 
dark  ash  bordered  with  black;  chin  while;  breast  dark  ash  shading  to 
white  on  the  belly  ; back  streaked  with  black,  reddi.sh-brown  and  pale 
yellow ; rump  ash  ; wings  reddish-brown,  with  two  transverse  white 


I2I 


bands ; tail  reddish-brown,  slightly  rounded ; bill  dark,  feet  lighter. 
Length,  6.75  inches. 

Migratory.  Abundant  during  the  migratory  periods,  that  is,  in  Spring,  from  the 
20th  of  April  to  the  20th  of  May  ; and  again,  in  Autumn,  from  the  latter  part  of  September 
to  the  middle  of  November.  Through  the  Summer  this  Sparrow  is  not  found  here  ; 
in  Winter  occasional  stragglers  are  seen.  Thoreau,  in  his  Maine  Woods,  mentions  the 
song  of  the  White-throated  Sparrow  as  being  the  bird-note  constantly  heard  by  him 
upon  three  excursions  into  the  northern  part  of  the  state.  These  excursions  were  made 
in  Summer,  and  the  places  visited  were  undoubtedly  favorite  breeding  resorts  of  the 
bird. 

The  nest  is  said  to  be  built  upon  the  ground,  and,  during  its  occupancy,  the  birds 
pair ; but,  when  the  young  have  flown,  they  assemble  in  small  flocks  and  haunt  the 
thickets. 

The  song,  though  an  agreeable  one,  is  not  free  from  monotony.  It  has  been  rendered 
ee-ee-peahody , and  its  syllabic  suggestions  are  answerable  for  one  of  the  bird’s  popular 
names. 


22 


GRASSHOPPER  SPARROW.  YELLOW-WINGED  SPARROW. 
YELLOW-WINGED  BUNTING. 

Ammodranms  savannarum  passeriniis. 


Crown  black  with  a central  yellowish  stripe ; back  streaked  and 
spotted  with  black,  brown,  red  and  dull  white  ; a light  stripe  over  the 
eye  ; breast  pale  drab,  lighter  in  the  centre  ; belly  soiled  white  ; wings 
dusky,  the  shoulders  edged  with  yellow;  tail  dusky,  the  outer  feathers 
wholly  lighter  than  the  inner  ones,  notched  ; the  feathers  of  both  tail 
and  wings  more  or  less  edged  with  paler ; bill  stout,  short,  rather  pale  ; 
feet  pale.  Length,  5.35  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  early  in  October.  Nests  on  the  ground.  A 
frequent  but  shy  and  unobtrusive  little  creature.  As  you  ramble  through  the  helds  vou 
will  hear  his  “peculiar,  chirring  note,”  and  probably  will  suppose  it  to  be  made  by 
some  insect  ; for  the  sound  is  very  similar  to  that  produced  by  the  grasshopper.  It  is 
because  of  this  note  that  the  name  Grasshopper  Sparrow  has  been  given. 

[Proceeding  on  your  way,  you  may  chance  to  catch  a glimpse  of  a small  bird  flitting 


23 


PLATE  XXXI.  CHIPPING  SPARROW. 


among  the  taller  weeds  and  grasses  with  evident  desire  to  avoid  notice.  This  is  probably 
the  Grasshopper  Sparrow.  Set  your  wits  against  the  bird’s,  and  strive  for  a nearer  and 
more  distinct  view.  When  you  are  able  to  detect  the  back,  oddly  mottled  with  black  and 
reddish-brown,  the  cone-like  bill,  the  crown  with  its  central  lateral  stripe  of  pale  yellow, 
and,  above  all,  the  bright  yellow  shoulders,  you  may  set  doubts  aside  ; you  have 
established  the  identity  of  the  bird. 

PLATE  XXXI.— CHIPPING  SPARROW.  CHIPPY.  HAIR-BIRD. 

Spi^^ella  socialis. 

Forehead  black ; crown  chestnut ; a light  streak  over  the  eye,  a 
black  one  from  base  of  bill  backward  through  the  eye  ; under-parts  and 
back  of  neck  ash-gray  ; back  streaked  with  black,  brown  and  dull  red  ; 
wings  and  tail  dusky,  the  latter  notched  ; bill  short,  dark : legs  pale. 
Length,  5.3s  inches. 

Migratory.  Comes  early  in  April,  leaves  late  in  October.  Builds  its  nest  in  trees  or 
bushes,  and  so  constantly  employs  horse-hair  for  the  purpose  that  Hair-bird  has  become 
one  of  its  popular  names.  Referring  to  this  habit,  Thoreau  says  : “ If  1 wish  for  a horse- 


25 


PLATE  XXXII.  JUNCO. 


hair  for  my  compass-sight,  I must  go  to  the  stable  ; but  the  Hair-bird,  with  her  sharp  eyes, 
goes  to  the  road.” 

Chippy  is  notably  a bird  fond  of  man’s  society  ; at  least  he  finds  in  the  neighborhood 
of  gardens,  human  habitations  and  domestic  animals  the  shelter,  food  and  building 
materials  best  suited  to  his  wants. 

He  is  one  of  the  first  of  the  birds  to  come,  and  among  the  last  to  go,  and  his  constant 
presence  about  the  door-yard  in  the  garden  lends  more  of  homeliness  and  comfort  to 
rural  dwellings  than  he  is  apt  to  gain  credit  for.  His  note  is  a trill  of  considerable  duration, 
suggestive  of  the  sound  of  the  cicada  ; certainly  not  a beautiful  song,  but  because  of 
familiarity  and  association,  one  whose  loss  would  be  deplored. 

PLATE  XXXIL— SLATE-COLORED  JUNCO.  JUNCO.  SNOWBIRD. 

Junco  hyemalis. 

Above  dark  ash  ; below,  throat  and  breast  ash,  belly  white  ; wings  and 
tail  dark  slate,  many  of  the  feathers  gray-edged,  but  tbe  outermost  tait- 
feafbers  white ; bill  pinkish-white;  length,  6.2s  inches;  legs  ruddy. 

Migratory.  Common  through  the  winter  months,  coming  from  the  north  late  in 


PLATE  XXXIII,  SONG  SPARROW. 


September,  and  retiring  thither  to  breed  late  in  April  or  early  in  May.  During  its  stay 
here  the  Junco  usually  forages  in  flocks  of  considerable  size,  and  is  seen  oftenest  by  the 
road-sides.  In  severe  weather,  however,  and  compelled  by  hunger,  it  approaches  barns 
and  dwellings,  and,  laying  aside  its  customary  timidity,  becomes  cquite  fearless. 

Its  song  is  not  much  more  than  a high-pitched  trill  and  is  not  often  heard. 

Probably  the  bird  is  more  voluble  in  its  northern  nesting-places,  for  only  in  Spring, 
just  upon  the  eve  of  its  departure,  do  we  detect  the  song,  and  we  may  reasonably  suppose 
that  what  we  catch  is  but  the  preparatory  tuning  up,  so  to  say,  a sort  of  making  ready 
for  the  real  nuptial  chant.  It  has  a call,  while  with  us,  which  Dr.  Coues  terms  “its 
snapping  note.” 


PLATE  XXXlll.— SONG  SPARROW. 

Melospi^a  fasciata. 

Above  streaked  with  black  and  brown  ; crown  chestnut  with  small 
black  stripes  ; under-parts  white  streaked  with  black  and  brown ; a 
brown  stripe  behind  the  eye ; wing  feathers  edged  with  dull  red ; tail 


29 


PLATE  XXXIV.  FOX  SPARROW. 


brown,  long  and  nearly  even  ; bill  and  feet  pale  brown.  Length, 
6.30  inches. 

A migratory  species  ; though  individuals,  probably  those  with  the  northernmost 
range,  may  be  found  here  in  Winter.  Comes  in  force  early  in  March  and  leaves  about 
November  1.  Has  a charming  song,  one  high  note  thrice  repeated,  then  a canary-like 
cadenza.  This  is  perhaps  the  most  noticeable  song  heard  in  fields  and  borders  of  woods, 
as  the  bird  is  abundant  everywhere  and  never  wearies  of  singing.  The  song,  and  through 
it  the  singer,  will  easily  be  identified,  notwithstanding  that  different  individuals  have  a 
puzzling  habit  of  imparting  a good  deal  of  variation  to  their  utterances. 

The  nest  is  usually  placed  upon  the  ground,  sometimes,  however,  in  bushes  and  even 
in  low  trees. 


PLATE  XXXIV.-FOX  SPARROW. 

Passer  el  I a iliaca. 

Above  ash  streaked  with  reddish-brown  ; below  white  thickly  spotted 
and  dashed  with  reddish-brown,  except  on  the  belly  which  is  un- 


PLATE  XXXV.  CHEWINK. 


marked  ; wings  and  tail  bright  rufous,  the  former  with  two  light  bands, 
the  latter  rounded ; bill  conical,  the  lower  mandible  lighter  than  the 
upper  one  ; feet  pale.  Length,  7.2s  inches. 

Migratory.  Comes  early  in  March,  remains  until  the  middle  of  April,  then  passes  to 
the  north  to  breed.  On  its  return  it  is  here  from  the  middle  of  October  until  the  middle 
of  November,  when  it  leaves  for  the  south.  The  Fox  Sparrow  is  the  largest  and  hand- 
somest of  the  sparrows,  and  is  also  a fine  singer.  No  difficulty  need  be  apprehended 
in  identifying  it,  for  its  sparrow-like  appearance,  its  size,  color  and  markings  are  striking 
and  unmistakable. 


PLATE  XXXV.— TOWHEE.  CHEWINK. 

Pipilo  erythrophthalmus. 

Upper-parts,  head,  neck  and  upper-breast  black  ; lower-breast  and 
middle  of  belly  white  ; sides  chestnut ; wings  black  with  white  bands 


33 


and  spots  ; tail  rounded,  black,  the  outer  feathers  patched  with  white  ; 
bill  black  ; legs  brown.  Length,  8.35  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  middle  of  April,  leaves  late  in  October.  Nests  on  the  ground. 

Its  notes,  chewink  and  towhee,  suggest  its  popular  names. 

A bird  not  given  to  long  flights  nor  fond  of  lofty  situations,  but  commonly  found  in 
thickets  or  upon  the  ground  scratching  among  the  leaves. 


PLATE  XXXVL— CARDINAL  GROSBEAK.  CARDINAL. 

Cardinal  is  cardinal  is. 

Prevailing  color  red,  darker  on  back  ; splendidly  crested  ; face  and 
throat  black  ; upper  surface  of  wings  and  tail  grayish,  the  latter  long 
and  nearly  square ; bill  light,  tinged  with  red  ; feet  brown.  Length, 
8.40  inches. 

Migratory.  A shy  and  rather  rare,  but  strikingly  handsome,  bird.  It  usually  visits 
us  only  during  the  hottest  months,  and  seldom  nests  so  far  north  as  our  latitude.  Dr. 


'35 


PLATE  XXXVII.  ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK. 


Allen  informs  me,  however,  that  a small  colony  has  been  for  some  years  resident  in 
Central  Park,  New  York  City,  remaining  in  Winter  and  nesting  there  in  Summer. 

Dr.  Cones  describes  the  Cardinal’s  notes  as  “rich,  rolling,  whistling.” 


PLATE  XXXVII. -ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK. 


Habia  1 udoviciana . 

Head,  neck,  throat  and  back  black  ; belly  and  rump  white  ; breast 
and  lining  of  wings  rose-red  ; wings  and  tail  black,  the  former  with  two 
white  bands,  the  latter  notched,  and  patched  with  white  ; bill  large, 
conical,  light ; feet  dark.  Length,  8.10  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  late  in  September.  Nests  in  bushes  and  low 
trees.  Song,  “ a sweet  warble  with  various  emphatic  passages,  and  sometimes  a plain- 
tive strain,  exceedingly  tender  and  affecting.” 

A beautiful  but  rather  rare  bird  ; and  the  day  upon  which  its  acquaintance  is  made 
may  be  justly  regarded  as  a most  fortunate  one. 


137 


PLATE  XXXVIII.  SUMMER  TANAGER. 


INDIGO  BUNTING.  INDIGO-BIRD. 

Passer  Ilia  cyanea. 


Blue  all  over  ; wings  and  tail  darker  than  the  body  ; lower  mandible 
paler  than  the  upper  one;  tail  nearly  even  ; legs  dark.  Length,  5.55 
inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  late  in  May,  leaves  middle  of  September.  Nests  in  bushes.  A 
persistent  singer,  whose  song,  of  little  power  or  variety,  is  extremely  sweet.  The 
graceful  little  fellow  is  rather  abundant  in  lightly  wooded  country.  The  lovely  blue  of  his 
coat,  glistening  in  the  sunlight  as  the  bird  sits  swaying  on  the  tip  of  a juniper,  and  the 
soft  tones  of  his  song,  afford  equal  pleasure  to  the  eye  and  ear  of  the  observer. 


PLATE  XXXVIll.— SUMMER  TANAGER.  SUMMER  REDBIRD. 

Pirauga  rubra. 

Red  all  over,  including  wings  and  tail,  the  red  of  the  wings  less 


»39 


brilliant  than  elsewhere;  tail  square;  bill  li.iibt  ; le,((s  darker.  I.enf,dh, 
7.50  inches. 

Migratory.  Not  a frequent  visitor  here,  though  seen  oftener  some  seasons  than 
others,  this  region  being  probably  about  the  northernmost  limit  of  its  range.  It  is  not 
so  rare  a bird,  however,  that  it  may  not  be  sought  with  full  confidence  of  ultimate  success. 

Like  all  of  the  Tanager  family,  it  is  an  unmusical  but  handsome  bird. 

SCARLET  TANAGER. 

Piranga  erythromelas. 

General  color  scarlet ; wings  and  tail  black,  the  latter  nearly  even  ; 
bill  pale,  legs  darker.  Length,  7.25  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  middle  of  May,  leaves  early  in  October.  Nests  in  trees  in  woods 
or  orchards.  Its  song  has  been  thought  to  resemble  that  of  the  Robin,  and  indeed  there  is 
a likeness  between  the  two  ; the  Robin’s  excelling,  however,  in  heartiness  if  not  in 
variety. 

The  Scarlet  Tanager  is  a bird  of  gorgeous  appearance,  and  is  a conspicuous  adorn- 
ment of  the  groves  which  it  inhabits. 


140 


PLATE  XXXIX.— BARN  SWALLOW. 

Chelidon  erythrogaster. 


Above  steel  blue  ; throat  deep  chestnut ; belly  light  chestnut ; a blue 
band  across  the  breast ; forehead  chestnut ; wings  and  tail  black  and 
long,  the  latter  deeply  forked  and  spotted  with  white  ; bill  black  ; legs 
purple.  Length,  6.9s  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  late  in  April,  leaves  early  in  September.  Its  nest  of  mud  and 
straw  is  attached  to  rafters  and  eaves  of  houses  or  barns. 

The  wonderfully  agile  and  graceful  flight  of  this  bird  is  made  the  theme  of  Mr. 
Ruskin’s  fascinating  essay,  Love’s  Meine,  which  will  afford  the  keenest  enjoyment  to 
all  bird-lovers. 

Much  discussion  has  prevailed  as  to  whether  the  Barn  Swallow  migrates  or  hibernates. 
More  than  a century  ago  Gilbert  White  was  full  of  speculation  regarding  it,  as  many  pages 
of  his  Natural  History  oe  Selborne  show. 

Dr.  Chas.  C.  Abbott,  in  A Naturalist’s  Rambles  About  Home,  has  devoted  an  inter- 
esting chapter  to  the  subject  ; and,  indeed,  writers  on  birds  have  all  found  the  theme  a 


14 


PLATE  XXXIX.  BARN  SWALLOW. 


fruitful  one  for  argument.  The  consensus  of  expert  opinion  at  the  present  day  is  against 
hibernation,  but  there  are,  nevertheless,  ornithologists  who  are  not  convinced  ; while 
nearly  all  uneducated  rural  observers  assert  that  in  Winter  the  Swallow  retires  to  a pond, 
where,  sinking  into  its  depths,  he  rolls  himself  in  a mud  casing  or  shell,  and  in  a state  of 
torpidity,  awaits  the  coming  of  Spring. 

It  is  strange  that  such  a curious  belief,  unsupported  by  evidence,  should  take 
possession  of  men’s  minds  ; but  the  conviction  of  hibernation  in  this  manner  on  the  part 
of  the  Swallow  is  certainly  common,  and  is,  say  most  eminent  ornithologists,  totally 
unsubstantiated  by  proof. 

Mr.  Bicknell  calls  the  song  of  the  Barn  Swallow  “ a low,  chattering  trill  * * often 
terminating  with  a clear,  liquid  note  * * not  unlike  one  of  the  notes  of  a Canary.” 


43 


PLATE  XL.  BANK  SWALLOW. 


PLATE  XL— BANK  SWALLOW. 

Clivicola  riparia. 

Above  gray-browii ; beneath  white,  with  a brown  band  across  the 
breast ; wings  and  tail  darker  than  body  (the  tail  nearly  square)  ; bill 
dark  ; feet  lighter.  Length,  5.20  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  about  May  20,  leaves  in  September.  The  Bank  Swallow  is 
recorded  as  seen  in  large  numbers  in  Rockland  Countv,  New  York,  so  late  as  November, 
but  this  is  exceptional.  Its  nest  is  placed  in  a hole  excavated  in  a sand-bank.  Lives  in 
colonies.  Note  soft  and  lisping. 


*45 


PLATE  XLI.  CEDAR  WAXWING. 


PLATE  XLL— CEDAR  WAXWING.  CEDARBIRD. 


Ampelis  cedrorum. 

Head  crested  ; forehead  and  sides  of  head  black,  indistinctly  bor- 
dered with  white  ; a small  white  streak  under  the  eye,  and  a larger  one 
on  the  lower  cheek  commencing  under  the  base  of  the  bill  ; crest  and 
back  of  head  cinnamon,  shading  lighter  along  the  back  to  the  rump 
where  it  is  ash  ; chin  black  shading  into  cinnamon  on  breast,  that  into 
yellow  on  belly,  and  that  into  white  under  the  tail  ; wings  dark  with 
red;  horny  tips  on  some  of  the  quills;  tail  dark,  square,  with  a yellow 
terminal  band  and  (sometimes)  with  red,  horny  tips ; bill  and  legs  dark. 
Length,  7.1s  inches. 

‘Mt  wanders  about,”  says  Dr.  Coues,  “ according  to  food  supply  ; winters  in  most 
of  the  United  States.”  It  nests  in  trees  late  in  the  season  ; remains  in  Hocks,  except  while 
breeding.  Its  note  is  a feeble  peep. 


147 


PLATE  XLIl.  NORTHERN  SHRIKE, 


PLATE  XLII.— NORTHERN  SHRIKE.  BUTCHER-BIRD. 


Lmiius  borealis. 

Above  light  bluish-gray  shading  to  still  lighter  on  the  rump  ; beneath 
white,  crossed  with  dark,  wavy  lines  ; sides  of  head  hoary  white,  with 
a black  stripe  passing  through  and  behind  the  eye  ; wings  and  tail  black, 
the  former  with  a white  patch  and  some  white  tippings,  the  latter  much 
rounded,  and  edged  and  broadly  tipped  with  white  ; bill  and  feet  dark. 
Length,  lo  inches. 

The  Shrike  is  usually  seen  here  from  November  to  April.  Truly  a bird  of  prey,  though 
not  classed  as  such  by  ornithologists.  Besides  insects,  it  captures  small  birds  and  even 
animals,  which  it  devours.  It  has  a curious  habit,  from  which  it  derives  its  name.  Butcher- 
bird, of  impaling  the  creatures  which  it  has  seized  upon  thorns,  as  a butcher  would  hang 
up  a carcass. 

'fhe  observer  who  is  fortunate  enough  to  have  witnessed  the  Shrike  thus  slaughtering 
its  victim,  has  probably  condemned  the  bird  as  a monster  of  needless  cruelty.  But  in  this 


149 


judgment  he  is  wrong.  Wallace,  in  his  Darwinism,  has  shown  that  the  death  occasioned 
by  creatures  of  prey  is  probably  a painless  one.  Several  cases  are  cited  to  prove  this  ; 
among  them  the  well-known  instance  of  Livingstone,  who  thus  describes  his  sensations 
when  seized  by  a lion:  “He  caught  my  shoulder  as  he  sprang  * * he  shook  me  as  a 

terrier-dog  does  a rat.  The  shock  produced  a stupor  similar  to  that  which  seems  to  be  felt 
by  a mouse  after  the  first  shake  of  the  cat.  It  causes  a sense  of  dreaminess  in  which  there 
was  no  sense  of  pain  or  feeling  of  terror,  though  1 was  quite  conscious.” 

If,  therefore,  we  may  conclude  that  the  Shrike’s  methods  of  obtaining  food  entail  the 
least  possible  amount  of  suffering,  we  must  at  least  acquit  the  bird  of  the  charge  of  cruelty. 
But  we  may  go  farther  than  this  and  claim  for  the  Shrike,  and  for  all  birds  and  animals  of 
prey,  that  they  actually  confer  a benefit  upon  the  species,  the  individuals  of  which  they 
kill.  The  victims  which  they  seize  and  put  to  death  are  the  least  active  and  are  generally 
those  which  are  diseased.  The  vigorous  and  healthy  escape,  and  since  these  perpetuate 
the  race,  increased  vigor  and  health  in  the  offspring  result. 

John  Watson,  an  English  writer  on  game-birds,  has  shown  that  by  the  trapping  and 
extermination  of  Eagles,  Hawks,  Owls,  Weasels,  etc.,  sportsmen  interfere  with  the  balance 
of  power  among  wild  creatures,  and  destroy  the  very  agents  appointed  to  keep  the  moors 
healthful.  As  the  Otter  takes  the  Salmon  blinded  by  fungoid  disease,  so  Hawks  and 
the  like  capture  the  slowest  of  the  Grouse.  Now  the  slowest  Grouse  is  such  by  reason  of 


50 


weakness  or  disease,  and  since  the  Grouse-disease  is  infectious,  one  such  bird  allowed  at 
large  may  taint  a whole  covey. 

The  substance  of  this  reasoning  is  implied  by  Darwin  himself  in  the  concluding- 
sentence  of  his  chapter  on  the  struggle  for  existence  : “ When  we  retlect  on  this  struggle, 
we  may  console  ourselves  with  the  full  belief  that  the  war  of  nature  is  not  incessant,  that 
no  fear  is  felt,  that  death  is  generally  prompt,  and  that  the  vigorous,  the  healthy,  and  the 
happy  survive  and  multiply.” 


YELLOW-THROATED  VIREO.  YELLOW-THROATED 

GREENLET. 

yireo  ft avif rolls. 

Above  olive-green,  brightest  on  the  lieadand  shading  to  bine-gray  on 
the  rump;  sides  of  neck  and  of  breast  olive-green  ; throat  and  centre 
of  breast  yellow  ; belly  white  ; forehead  yellow  and  a ring  of  yellow 
encircling  the  eye ; wings  brown  with  two  white  bands,  and  many  of 


51 


PLATE  XLIII.  RED  EYED  VIREO. 


the  feathers  light-edged  ; tail  short,  square,  brown,  many  of  tlie  quills 
light-edged;  bill  and  feet  lead-color.  Length,  5.9s  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  late  in  September.  Nests  rather  low  in  trees, 
chiefly  in  woods  or  orchards.  A beautiful  bird  and  an  accomplished  vocalist. 


PLATE  XLllL— RED-EYED  VIREO.  RED-EYED  GREENLET. 

l^ireo  olivaceiis. 

Above  light  olive-green  ; crown  ash  edged  with  darker  ; a white 
streak  passes  through  and  beyond  the  eye  ; cheeks  pale  green  ; throat 
and  breast  yellowish  ; belly  white  tinged  on  sides  with  yellow,  and 
terminating  under  the  rump  in  light  yellow  ; tail  short,  nearly  even, 
brown,  the  quills  edged  with  greenish  ; lowe^^  mandible  lighter  than  the 
upper  one  ; wings  long,  in  color  like  the  tail  ; feet  lead-color  : eyes 
red.  Length,  6.20  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  middle  of  May,  leaves  early  in  October.  Its  nest  is  pensile  and 
is  attached  to  the  branch  of  a tree,  usually  in  woods.  A sweet  singer. 


153 


MW 


PLATE  XLIV.  SOLITARY  VIREO. 


PLATE  XLIV.— BLUE-HEADED  VIREO  (OR  GREENLET).  SOLI- 
TARY VIREO  (OR  GREENLET.) 

l^ireo  solitarius. 


Above  olive-green ; head  and  cheeks  blue-gray ; a white  line  from 
the  nostrils  to  the  eye  and  encircling  it ; breast  pale  ash  ; belly  white ; 
wings  dark,  with  two  white  bars  and  many  of  the  feathers  edged  with 
white  ; tail  short,  square,  dark,  the  outermost  feathers  edged  with  white ; 
bill  and  feet  dark.  Length,  5.60  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  early  in  October.  Nests  in  bushes  or  low 
trees.  Like  all  of  the  Vireos,  it  is  fearless  and  confiding  towards  man. 

Bradford  Torrey  relates  an  incident  illustrative  of  this  docility.  He  once  found  a 
Solitary’s  nest,  the  female  sitting  at  the  time  upon  her  eggs,  and  was  allowed  to  approach 
until  he  almost  touched  the  bird.  He  made  daily  visits,  bringing  food,  until  finally  the 
little  creature  became  so  tame  as  to  eat  insects  and  other  dainties  from  his  hand,  allowing 
him  meanwhile  gently  to  smooth  her  feathers. 

The  Solitary  Vireo  is  not  a rare  bird  though  it  is  less  common  than  the  Red-eyed,  the 


155 


PLATE  XLV.  WHITE-EYED  VIREO. 


Yellow-throated  or  the  White-eyed.  Probably  the  majority  of  the  species  nest  farther 
north  than  this  locality  ; for  on  their  first  arrival,  about  May  i,  and  again,  as  they  go  south 
in  September,  they  are  quite  numerous,  while  during  the  actual  breeding  season,  they 
are  less  plentiful. 


PLATE  XLV.— WHITE-EYED  VIREO.  WHITE-EYED  GREENEET. 

l^ireo  noveboracensis. 

Above  olive-green;  a yellow  line  from  the  nostrils  to  the  eye  and 
encircling  it ; eyes  white ; breast  and  belly  dull  white  ; sides  of  body 
yellow ; wings  dusky,  with  two  light  bands,  some  of  the  feathers  light- 
edged  ; tail  dusky,  nearly  even  ; bill  and  feet  dark.  Length,  5.25 
inches. 


Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  the  middle  of  October.  Its  nest  is  pensile 
and  is  usually  placed  in  a bush.  A sweet  and  persistent  singer. 


:‘57 


PLATE  XLVI  BLACK  AND  WHITE  WARBLER. 





PLATE  XLVI.— BLACK  AND  WHITE  WARBLER.  BLACK  AND 

WHITE  CREEPER. 


Mniotilta  varia. 

Black  above,  feathers  much  edged  witli  white  ; white  stripes  on  the 
crown,  through  the  eye,  and  on  the  cheeks ; belly  white  with  black 
streaks  on  the  sides ; wings  black,  many  of  the  feathers  edged  with 
white,  and  having  two  white,  transverse  bands  ; tail  nearly  even,  black 
with  some  edging  and  spots  of  white  ; bill  and  feet  dark.  Length, 
5.30  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  May  i,  leaves  early  in  October.  Its  nest  is  placed  on  the  ground  ; 
often  near  the  root  ot  a stump  or  tree. 

Dr.  CoLies  writes:  “A  common  bird  of  woodland,  thicket  and  swamp,  generally  seen 
scrambling  actively  about  the  trunks  and  larger  branches  of  trees,  rather  like  a Nuthatch 
than  like  a Creeper,  the  tail  not  being  used  as  a prop.” 

A poor  singer. 


*59 


WORM-FATING  WARBI.FR. 

Hehuitberus  verniiverus. 


Above  olive-green  ; beneath  biilT,  paler  almost  to  whiteness  on  the 
belly  ; head  all  round  bnlT  with  two  black  stripes  on  the  crown  extend- 
ing from  the  bill  to  the  nape,  and  a similar  though  narrower  stripe 
through  the  eye  ; wings  and  tail  olive-green,  the  latter  rounded  ; bill 
and  feet  pale.  Length,  4.8s  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  about  the  uiiddle  of  Mav,  leaves  late  in  September.  It  nests  on 
the  ground  and  is  usually  seen  on  the  ground  or  near  it.  Sometimes,  however,  quitting 
its  scratching  among  the  leaves,  it  will  scramble  up  and  down  the  tree-trunks  hunting  in  a 
somewhat  listless  manner  for  insects  and  spiders.  A shv,  inactive  bird,  not  very  handsome, 
a feeble  singer  and  burdened  with  a name  disagreeable  in  its  suggestions. 


PARULA  WARBLER.  BLUE  YELLOW-BACKED  WARBLER. 

Compsothlypis  americana. 


Above  light-blue,  with  a patch  of  yellow  in  centre  of  the  back ; 
chin  and  throat  yellow  ; breast  yellow,  spotted  with  brown  ; belly  dull 
white  ; wings  brown,  with  two  light  bands,  some  of  the  feathers  edged 
with  blue : tail  brown,  some  of  the  feathers  edged  with  blue,  and  the 
outer  ones  spotted  near  the  tips  with  white ; upper  mandible  dark, 
lower  one  lighter ; legs  pale.  Length,  4.70  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  middle  of  May,  leaves  early  in  October.  Nests  in  trees.  It  is  not 
easy  to  examine  this  bird,  since  it  not  only  usually  keeps  to  lofty  situations  in  the  tree,  but 
it  is  exasperatingly  restless  and  active  ; at  least  so  will  say  the  observer  who,  with  opera- 
glass  to  eye,  strives  to  watch  it  as  it  clambers  and  tlutters  among  the  branches  and  foliage. 
The  best  periods  for  observation  are  during  migration  ; for,  in  common  with  many 
Warblers,  and  some  other  birds  as  well,  the  majority  of  this  species  breed  farther  north. 

d'he  bird  student  will  not  have  prosecuted  his  researches  for  a long  period  without 
remarking  a fact  concerning  the  migrations  of  the  Warblers  which  will  give  a pleasurable 

i6t 


interest  to  his  rambles.  He  will  (Ind  that,  though  to-day  none  of  them  are  visible,  to- 
morrow the  trees  and  bushes  may  swarm  with  the  active  little  creatures,  while  on  the  next 
day,  perhaps,  all  will  have  departed.  It  is  this  clement  of  uncertainty  as  to  what  a walk 
will  disclose  that  fascinates  the  observer,  and  tempts  him  into  the  woods  and  fields  even 
upon  unpromising  days  and  in  the  most  inclement  weather. 

The  Parula  Warbler  is  a trim,  graceful  little  bird,  but  a poor  singer. 


YELLOW  WARBLER.  SUMMER  YELLOWBIRD. 

Dendroica  cvstiva. 

Above  greenish-yellow  ; crown  and  under-parts  golden,  streaked  with 
reddish-brown  ; wings  and  tail  dusky,  most  of  the  feathers  edged  with 
yellow  (tail  nearly  square) ; bill  brown  ; feet  paler.  Length,  5.10  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  early  in  September.  Orchards  and  gardens 
furnish  the  conditions  it  prefers  for  a nesting  site. 

Flight  undulatory  ; song  pleasing  but  unimportant. 

“This  species  is  remarkable,”  writes  DeKay,  “for  its  instinctive  sagacity  in  getting 


rid  of  the  eggs  of  the  Cowbird.  As  the  egg  is  too  large  to  be  thrust  out,  the  Yellow 
Warbler  commences  a new  nest  above  it.  In  one  instance  such  reconstruction  was  twice 
effected  ; thus  forming  a nest  of  three  stories.” 

The  clever  method  taken  by  the  Yellow  Warbler  to  baffle  its  persecutor  indicates 
intelligence  of  a comparatively  high  order,  since  most  birds  are  easily  imposed  upon  and 
hatch  and  tend  the  greedy  interloper  to  the  ultimate  destruction  of  their  own  offspring. 
The  young  Cowbird,  once  established,  is  able,  by  reason  of  its  superior  size  and  strength, 
not  only  to  appropriate  most  of  the  food  brought  by  its  foster  parents,  but  entirely  to 
dispossess  its  luckless  companions  by  crowding  them  out  of  the  nest,  when,  falling  to 
the  ground,  they  perish  miserably. 


1631 


MYRTLE  WARBLER.  YEI.LOW-RUMBEI)  WARBLER. 

MYRTI.EBIRL). 


Dendroica  coronata. 

Above  slaty-blue  streaked  with  black ; below  white,  except  the 
upper-breast  and  sides  of  body  which  are  black  : crown,  rump  and  a spot 
on  each  side  of  the  breast  yellow;  sides  of  head  black,  with  a light  streak 
over  the  eye;  wings  brown,  with  two  light  bands;  tail  brown,  slightly 
notched,  and  somewhat  spotted  with  white  ; bill  and  feet  dark.  Length, 
5.65  inches. 

Migratory.  Passes  to  the  north  in  April  and  May,  and  again  southward,  in  September. 
At  these  times,  for  shoit  periods,  it  is  rather  abundant. 

Different  individuals  are  varied  in  their  markings,  but  the  four  yellow  spots  on  crown, 
rump  and  sides  of  breast  are  constant,  and  afford  means  of  confident  identification. 


BLACKBURNIAN  WARBLER. 

Dendroica  blackhurnix. 


Black  above  including  wings  and  tail,  but  wilh  an  orange  stripe  on 
crown,  a white  patch  on  wings  and  a light  stripe  on  back ; neck,  upper- 
breast,  and  sides  of  head,  bright  orange — except  a black  streak  through 
the  eye  widening  from  the  bill  backwards  (in  this  black  streak,  under  the 
eye,  is  a small  orange  crescent);  lower-breast  lighter  orange  (or  yellow) 
shading  to  white  on  the  belly  ; sides  of  body  striped  with  black  and 
white  ; tail  nearly  even,  with  much  white  on  outer  feathers ; bill  and 
feet  dark.  Length,  5.25  inches. 

Migratory.  A shy  bird  inhabiting  tall  trees  with  dense  foliage,  and  consequently  not 
often  seen  nor  easily  studied.  A single  glimpse  of  its  uncommon  beauty,  however,  will 
fully  repay  the  labor  of  much  arduous  search.  Its  times  of  migration  are  May,  northward, 
and  September,  southward.  It  is  then  abundant,  though,  as  intimated,  a sharp  eye,  and 
some  perseverance  are  required  to  detect  it. 


PLATE  XLVIl.  BLACK-THROATED  BLUE  WARBLER, 


PLATE  XLV!I.— BLACK-THROATED  BLUE  WARBLER. 

Dendroica  avridescens. 

Above  gray-blue  ; sides  of  head,  throat  and  sides  of  body  black ; 
breast  and  belly  white  ; wings  dark,  with  a white  patch,  and  some  of 
the  feathers  edged  with  blue  ; tail  dark,  nearly  even,  some  of  its  feathers 
bordered  on  the  outer  edge  with  blue,  and  patched  on  some  of  the 
inner  webs  with  white  ; bill  black  ; feet  brown.  Length,  5.25  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  early  in  October.  Nests  in  bushes.  Most 
abundant  during  the  migrations. 

The  following  extracts  from  Mr.  Burroughs  admirably  characterize  the  song  and 
habits  of  this  Warbler  : 

Song  : “ twea-twea-tuceaee  in  the  upward  slide,  and  with  the  peculiar  ^-iug  of  Summer 
insects,  but  not  destitute  of  a certain  plaintive  cadence.  It  is  one  of  the  most  languid, 
unhurried  sounds  in  all  the  woods.  1 feel  like  reclining  upon  the  dry  leaves  at  once. 
Audubon  says  he  has  never  heard  his  love-song  ; but  this  is  all  the  love-song  he  has.” 

Habits  : “He  has  a preference  for  dense  woods  of  beech  and  maple,  moves  slowly 
amid  the  lower  branches  and  smaller  growths,  keeping  from  eight  to  ten  feet  from  the 
ground,  and  repeating  now  and  then  his  listless,  indolent  strain.” 

167 


PLATE  XLVIll  MAGNOLIA  WARBLER. 


PLATE  XLVIIL— BLACK  AND  YELLOW  WARBLER.  MAGNOLIA 

WARBLER. 

Dendroica  maculosa. 

Crown  ash ; back  black ; rump  yellow ; a white  stripe  commences 
over  the  eye  and  extends  backward  to  the  neck  ; chin  and  throat  yellow  ; 
breast  yellow,  but  crossed  and  bordered  by  lateral  black  streaks  which 
also  extend  along  the  sides  of  the  body  ; wings  dark  with  a white  patch, 
and  many  of  the  feathers  pale-edged ; tail  dark  and  rounded,  with  white 
patches  on  the  inner  web  of  all  the  feathers  except  the  middle  pair ; bill 
and  feet  dark.  Length,  5.10  inches. 

Migratory.  A sharp  and  constant  watch  will  be  necessary  to  insure  a sight  of  this 
little  beauty  in  Spring,  for  he  does  not  at  thtit  time  give  us  more  than  a week  or  ten  days 
of  his  company  as  he  hastens  northward.  In  the  Fall  he  tarries  longer,  coming  to  us 
about  the  middle  of  September  and  continuing  his  journey  rather  early  in  October.  Dr. 
Mearnssays:  “This  beautiful  species  is  partial  to  the  hemlock-trees,  where  it  feeds  in 
company  with  the  Black-throated  Green  Warbler  ; but  it  is  found  in  all  kinds  of  woods. 

“It  frequently  descends  to  the  ground  ; sometimes  inhabits  low  bushes.” 

169 


PLATE  XLIX,  CHESTNUT  SIDED  WARBLER. 


PLATF  XLIX.-CHFSTNUT-SIDF.D  WARBLFR. 

Dendroica  pensylvauica. 


Back  streaked  with  black  and  greenish-yellow  ; a chestnut  stripe  on 
sides  of  bod}^ ; crown  yellow  enclosed  in  white,  and  that  in  black  ; sides 
of  head  and  entire  under-parts  white,  but  the  white  of  the  cheek  and 
throat  is  cut  by  a black  streak  which  runs  from  base  of  bill  to  the 
beginning  of  the  chestnut  side-stripe  ; wings  brown,  with  two  indistinct 
bands,  and  some  of  the  feathers  edged  with  yellow  ; tail  brown,  nearly 
square,  and  somewhat  spotted  and  streaked  with  white ; bill  dark  ; feet 
pale.  Length,  5. 10  inches. 

Migratoiy.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  late  in  September.  Nests  in  bushes  and 
small  trees.  Note  monotonous  and  uninteresting. 


I7I 


PLATE  L.  RAY-BREASTED  WARBLER. 


PLATE  L— BAY-BREASTED  WARBLER. 


Dendroica  castanea. 

Above  slate  streaked  with  black  ; throat  and  sides  chestnut ; centre 
of  breast  and  belly  reddish-white  ; crown  chestnut ; forehead  and 
cheeks  black  ; a buff  patch  on  each  side  of  the  neck  ; wings  dark 
brown  with  two  white  bars  ; tail  dark  brown  with  some  white  blotches  ; 
bill  and  feet  dark.  Length,  5.60  inches. 

Migratory.  Seen  passing  northward  the  latter  half  of  May,  and  returning  to  the 
south  late  in  September.  Dr.  Mearns  says:  “Its  habits  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the 
Black-poll.  It  is  usually  seen  in  the  tree-tops,  where  its  movements  are  rather  heavy  and 
slow.  It  seems  to  be  especially  fond  of  bathing  in  the  brooks.”  Its  song  is  cheerful  but 
simple. 


‘73 


PLATE  Ll.  BLACK-POLL  WARBLER, 


L 


PLATE  LI.-BLACK-POLL  WARBLER. 


Dendroica  striata. 


Head  black  streaked  with  brown  ; back  dark  ash  streaked  with  black; 
cheeks  white  ; throat,  breast  and  belly  white,  but  all  of  them  streaked 
on  the  sides  with  black  ; wings  brown  with  two  light  bands  ; tail  square, 
brown  with  white  spots  on  some  of  the  inner  webs;  lower  mandible 
lighter  than  the  upper  one  ; feet  pale.  Length  5.50  inches. 

Migratory.  Passes  toward  the  north  late  in  May,  and  again,  southward,  late  in 
October.  A brisk  little  fellow,  but  even  less  of  a singer  than  most  of  the  so-called 
“ Warblers.”  Rather  abundant  during  migration. 


175 


PLATE  Lll.  BLACK-THROATED  GREEN  WARBLER 

! ' ”i;. 


PLATE  LII.-BLACK-THROATED  GREEN  WARBLER. 

Dendroica  virens. 


Back  and  crown  light  yellowish-green  ; forehead,  a band  over  the 
eye,  cheeks  and  sides  of  the  neck  rich  yellow  ; chin,  throat  and  breast 
black  ; wings  brown,  with  two  white  bars,  many  of  the  feathers  pale- 
edged  ; tail  brown  ; the  outer  three  feathers  almost  wholly  white  ; bill 
and  feet  dark.  Length,  5.10  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  May  lo,  leaves  October  25.  This  Warbler,  like  others  of 
its  family,  is  most  frequently  observed  during  its  migrations,  when  for  short  periods 
it  is  rather  abundant.  It  breeds  here,  however,  and  can  be  seen  through  the  whole 
Summer. 

It  seems  to  prefer  pine  or  hemlock  trees,  and  usually  chooses  them  to  nest  in. 

Dr.  Mearns  says:  “It  is  seen  in  large  companies,  clinging  to  the  tips  of  the  branches, 
exhibiting  a fluttering  of  wings  and  incessant  activity.  Its  attitudes  and  notes  remind  one 
of  the  Titmice  ; but  it  possesses  a very  pleasant  song  besides.” 


»77 


PLATE  Llll.  PALM  WARBLER. 


PLATE  LIII.-YELLOW  RED-POLL  WARBLER.  PALM  WARBLER. 


Dendroica  palmarum. 

Above  brownish-olive,  rump  yellowish-green ; crown  dark  bay  ; 
beneath  yellow,  streaked  on  the  breast  with  bay  ; a bright  yellow  streak 
over,  and  a brownish  line  through  the  eye  ; the  two  outer  tail-feathers 
tipped  with  square  white  spots;  no  white  wing-bars.  Length,  5.40 
inches. 

Migratory.  One  of  the  earliest  of  the  Warblers  to  come,  and  one  of  the  latest  to  go. 
Its  times  of  migration  are  late  in  April  northward,  and  late  in  September  or  early  in 
October  southward.  We  see  it  here  only  as  it  passes.  It  generally  keeps  to  fields  and 
road-sides,  and  is  oftener  seen  hopping  upon  the  ground  and  flitting  among  bushes  than  in 
more  elevated  situations.  Dr.  Mearns  thus  points  out  one  of  its  notable  habits  : “The 
Red-poll’s  tail  executes  a perpetual  lateral  vibratory  movement,  which  is  as  characteristic 
as  is  the  tilting  of  the  Wagtails  ; this  motion  is  often  accompanied  by  a feeble  chip,  the 
only  note  1 have  heard  it  utter.” 


MARYLAND  YELLOW-THROAT. 

Geothlypis  irichas. 


Above  olive-green,  brownish  on  the  head  ; chin,  throat  and  upper- 
breast  yellow  ; belly  light  bull,  shaded  on  the  sides  with  brown  ; under- 
side of  the  rump  yellow  ; a black  band  on  the  forehead  passes  back- 
ward through  and  beyond  the  eyes ; wings  brown,  many  of  the  feathers 
edged  with  light  olive  ; tail  nearly  even,  same  color  as  wings ; bill  dark ; 
feet  pale.  Length,  5.30  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  early  in  October.  Nests  usually  upon  the 
ground,  sometimes  low  in  thickets. 

A shy  bird  ; not  given  to  frequent  flights,  and  generally  seen  hopping  about  upon  the 
ground  or  hitting  amongst  the  shrubbery.  Song  vigorous  and  rich,  but  not  varied. 


180 


YELLOW-BREASTED  CHAT. 

Icteria  virens. 


Above  uniform  olive-green  ; throat,  breast  and  lining  of  wings  yellow  ; 
belly  white,  tinged  on  sides  with  brown  ; a white  stripe  over,  and  a 
white  patch  under  the  eye ; tail  nearly  even  ; bill  black  ; feet  brown. 
Length,  7.50  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  early  in  September.  Nests  in  bushes.  A 
shy  bird,  odd  and  uncouth  in  its  motions  and  with  an  extraordinary  song,  which  Nuttall 
thus  rather  fancifully  describes  : “ Some  of  these  notes  resemble  the  whistling  of  the  wings 
of  a flying  duck,  at  first  loud  and  rapid,  then  sinking  till  they  seem  to  end  in  single  notes. 
Other  tones  are  now  heard  like  the  barking  of  young  puppies,  with  a variety  of  hollow, 
guttural,  uncommon  sounds,  and  terminated  occasionally  by  something  like  the  mewing 
of  a cat.”  The  song  is  frequently  heard  moonlight  nights. 

The  Chat  is  noted  for  its  ventriloquial  powers.  This  art  it  employs  with  good  success 
in  luring  enemies  from  its  nest. 

Dr.  Mearns,  writing  of  one  of  “its  ridiculous  performances,  ” savs  : “It  has  the  habit 
of  Hying  up  in  the  air,  with  its  legs  dangling,  then  allowing  itself  to  drop  nearly  to  the 
ground.” 


PLATE  LIV.  OVEN-BIRD. 


PLATE  LIV. -OVEN-BIRD.  GOLDEN-CROWNED  THRUSH. 


Seiurus  a u r oca  pill  us . 

Upper-parts,  including  wings  and  tail,  uniform  olive-green  ; crown 
with  two  lateral  stripes  of  black  inclosing  a wider  stripe  of  brownish- 
orange;  a pale  ring  around  the  eye  ; underneath  white  with  black  spots 
and  streaks  on  breast  and  sides  ; tail  nearly  even  ; bill  and  feet  pale. 
Length,  6.  is  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  late  in  October.  Its  nest  is  built  on  the 
ground  and  is  roofed  with  leaves  and  grass  resembling  a “Dutch-oven  ” in  shape,  hence 
the  popular  name  Oven-bird. 

The  song  has  been  likened  to  the  syllables  qiiicha-quicha-qiiicba  repeated  rapidly  and 
often.  It  is  begun  softly,  and  grows  continuously  louder  with  an  even  crescendo. 

There  is  another  song  indeed,  less  often  uttered,  more  elaborate  than  the  ordinary  per- 
formance ; Dr.  Coues  calls  it  a “ luxurious,  nuptial  song.”  The  bird  is  a walker. 


HOODED  WARBLER. 

Syiviana  mitrata. 


Above  olive-yellow  ; forehead,  cheeks,  breast  and  belly  bright  yellow  ; 
crown,  chin  and  neck  all  round  jet  black  : wings  and  tail  brown,  the 
latter  spotted  on  the  three  outer  feathers  near  the  tip  with  white  ; bill 
black;  feet  pale.  Length,  5.6s  inches. 

Migratory-  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  early  in  September.  A rather  abundant 
bird,  lovely  in  plumage,  and  a charming  singer.  It  must  be  sought  in  remote  spots,  since 
it  loves  dense  woods  whose  shelter  it  seldom  abandons.  It  nests  in  low  situations. 


AMERICAN  REDSTART.  REDSTART. 


Setophaga  riiticilla. 

Head,  neck,  back  and  middle-breast  blue-black  ; sides  of  breast 
orange  ; belly  white  ; wings  with  an  orange  band  and  lined  with  orange  ; 
tail  slightly  rounded,  black,  broadly  patched  on  each  side  near  ibe  base 
with  orange  ; bill  and  feet  black.  Length,  5.40  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  late  in  September.  Nests  on  small  trees  in 
woods  or  meadows.  A rather  shy  bird,  with  a sweet  but  monotonous  song. 


PLATE  LV.  CATBIRD. 


PLATE  LV.— CATBIRD. 


Galeoscoptes  carolinensis. 

Prevailing  color  slate,  palest  below  ; under-side  of  rump  reddish  ; 
crown,  tail,  bill  and  feet  black  ; tail  full  and  rounded.  Length,  8.90 
inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  about  October  13.  Nests  in  bushes  A 
common  bird,  lurking  in  the  shrubbery  of  gardens  or  in  the  tangle  of  road-side  thickets,  and 
uttering  its  well-known  cat-like  mezv  with  a persistency  worthy  of  a more  agreeable  sound. 
Another  of  its  calls,  even  still  less  musical,  resembles  the  syllables  trat-tat-tat-tat  given  in 
quick  succession. 

It  has,  however,  a beautiful  song  which  has  been  called  a medley,  imitative  of  the 
Robin  and  the  Thrush.  This  song  is  heard  only  during  the  breeding  season,  and  though 
truly  an  admirable  performance,  a quick  ear  may  detect  in  it  a slight,  whining  quality 
suggestive  of  the  feline  note. 

The  bird  is  really  a handsome  one,  but,  owing  to  its  skulking  habits,  and  the  unsocial 
manner  with  which  it  resents  inspection,  scarcely  a favorite. 

187 


PLATE  LVI.  BROWN  THRASHER. 


PLATE  LVl. -BROWN  THRASHER.  BROWN  THRUSH. 

Harporhyncus  riifus. 


Above  light  reddisli-brown ; throat,  middle  of  belly  and  under- 
rump  white — but,  inclosing  the  throat,  and  on  breast  and  flanks  much 
spotted  with  brown  ; two  white  bars  on  wings  ; tail  long  and  rounded  ; 
bill  dark  ; feet  pale  ; iris  yellow.  Length,  1 1.40  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  late  in  April,  leaves  early  in  October.  Nests  in  bushes  or  on  the 
ground.  A gifted  vocalist,  scarcely  surpassed  either  in  sweetness  or  variety  by  any  other 
bird.  During  the  nesting  season  it  is  said  to  sing  at  night.  The  Brown  Thrasher  remains 
for  the  most  part  in  the  cover  of  thickets  in  whose  recesses  he  has  his  nest,  but  when  the 
singing  frenzy  is  on  him  he  may  be  seen  on  the  top  of  some  rather  low  tree  pouring  forth 
his  melody. 

When  the  sun  illumines  his  brown  coat,  the  tint  of  red  in  it  is  strikingly  apparent. 


PLATE  LVIl.  WINTER  WREN. 


PLATE  EVIL— WINTER  WREN. 


Troglodytes  hiemalis. 

Reddish-brown  all  over,  darker  on  the  back  ; barred  and  spotted 
everywhere  except  on  head  and  neck  ; tail  very  short  and  rounded  ; a 
pale,  indistinct  line  over  the  eye.  Length,  4 inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  from  the  north  in  October  and  returns  in  the  Spring.  Next  to 
the  Hummingbird,  the  smallest  bird  we  have.  It  is  extremely  shy,  and,  as  Dr.  Cones  re- 
marks, “less  often  seen  than  other  Wrens  no  less  common;  voice  strong  and  highly 
musical.” 


PLATE  LVIll.  LONG. BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 


PLATE  LVIIL— LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN. 

Cistothoriis  palnstris. 


Above  reddish-brown  ; head  and  back  of  the  neck  black,  sometimes 
streaked  with  white  ; beneath  white,  shaded  on  the  sides  with  brown  ; 
wings  and  tail  much  barred,  the  latter  short  and  rounded  ; a pale 
streak  over  the  eye.  Length,  s.20  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  late  in  May,  leaves  early  in  October.  Builds  a nest  much  like  a 
cocoanut  in  size  and  shape,  with  a hole  for  entrance  near  the  top.  This  it  attaches  to  the 
reeds  and  rushes  growing  in  swamps  or  marshes. 

Wilson  calls  its  song  “a  low,  crackling  sound,  somewhat  similar  to  that  produced  by 
air  bubbles  forcing  their  way  through  mud  or  boggy  ground  when  trod  upon.” 

DeKay  more  truthfully  says  that  the  bird  is  “highly  musical,”  but  adds,  curiously 
enough,  “It  breeds  * probably  (!)  in  this  State  (N.Y.),  but  1 have  not  yet  met  with 
its  nest.”  The  writer  has  found  the  bird  a very  common  one  ; he  has  seen  many  of  its 
nests  ; and,  in  his  judgment,  its  song  is  nearly  as  important  as  that  of  the  House  Wren, 
and  somewhat  similar  to  it. 

At  a junction  of  the  railroad  track  which  leads  into  Flushing,  Long  Island,  where 


93 


many  of  the  trains  stop  to  be  separated  into  sections,  is  a marsh  inhabited  by  Marsh 
Wrens.  The  writer  has  often  noticed  the  birds  singing  lustily  at  twelve  o'clock  in  the 
night,  and  supposed  that  they  were  wakened  by  the  noise  of  the  cars.  He  is  i.nterested, 
therefore,  in  Dr.  Mearns’  statement  that  birds  of  this  species  have  “the  habit  of  singing  at 
night  when  the  moon  is  bright."  He  intends  to  learn  if  the  Flushing  colony  sing  when 
there  is  no  moon.  If  he  finds  this  to  be  the  case,  he  will  continue  to  ascribe  the  midnight 
serenade  to  the  disturbing  inlluence  of  the  passing  trains. 


HOUSE  WREN. 

Troglodytes  a'edon. 

Above  reddish-brown,  lighter  towards  tiie  rump : beneath  soiled 
white  with  brown  tinges  on  the  breast ; wings  and  tail  much  barred, 
the  latter  rounded  ; a light  line  over  the  eye.  Length,  s inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  late  in  April,  leaves  middle  of  October.  Nests  in  holes  of  stumps 
and  fences,  or  in  boxes  which  are  often  prepared  for  it  in  gardens,  where  it  sometimes 
brings  forth  three  broods. 

He  who  studies  the  House  Wren  as  it  is  seen  about  men’s  habitations,  will  say  that  it 


194 


is  a cheerful,  industrious  little  creature,  with  charming  confidence  in  mankind.  He  also 
will  esteem  it  a persistent  vocalist,  with  a trilling,  gushing  song  of  much  sweetness  and 
considerable  length.  And  he  will  be  right,  if  he  limits  the  bird’s  possession  of  these  good 
qualities  to  the  breeding  season.  But  this  Wren  is  a bird  of  a dual  character.  While  its 
household  cares  are  upon  it,  the  admirable  traits  predominate  ; but  when  the  young  have 
been  sent  forth,  it  lays  aside  the  familiarity  which  had  so  endeared  it  to  us,  withdraws  to 
some  remote,  barren  and  inaccessible  spot,  where,  songless,  secluded  and  aloof,  wholly 
transformed  in  demeanor,  it  lurks  among  the  tangled  shrubbery  until  the  time  of  its  final 
departure. 


*95 


PLATE  LIX.  WHITE-BREASTED  NUTHATCH 


PLATE  LIX.— WHITE-BREASTED  (OR  BELLIED)  NUTHATCH. 


Sitta  carolinensis. 

Crown  and  back  of  neck  black ; back  gray-blue  ; cheeks,  throat, 
breast  and  belly  dull  white  ; wings  dark,  many  of  the  feathers  light- 
edged  ; the  middle  feathers  of  the  tail  gray-blue,  the  outer  ones  marked 
strongly  with  black  and  white  ; bill  and  feet  dark.  Length,  6 inches. 

Resident.  Nests  in  a hole  generally  made  by  the  bird  itself  in  a tree  or  stump.  It 
has  no  song,  but  utters  a short,  harsh  call,  which  resembles  the  syllable  qiiank.  It  clambers 
up,  down  or  around  tree-trunks,  or  runs  along  the  upper  or  under  side  of  a branch  with 
equal  ease,  industriously  searching  for  insects  or  nuts,  on  both  of  Vvdiich  it  feeds. 

In  separating  the  kernels  of  nuts  from  the  husk  or  shell,  it  wedges  the  nut  into  a 
crevice  of  bark  or  limb,  and  pounds  upon  it  until  the  shell  gives  way. 

The  bird  is  an  accomplished  gymnast,  hanging,  says  Dr.  Coues,  “in  every  conceivable 
attitude,  head  downward  as  often  as  otherwise.” 


IQ7 


PLATE  LX.  CHICKADEE. 


PLATE  LX.— CHICKADEE.  BLACK-CAPPED  TITMOUSE. 


Parus  atricapillns. 

Prevailing  color  gray-brown  ; crown  and  throat  black  ; cheeks  white  ; 
breast  and  belly  dull  white  ; tail  nearly  square  ; Length,  5.2s  inches. 

Resident.  Nests  in  holes  in  trees  or  stumps.  Flight  wavering.  A nervously  active 
little  fellow,  constantly  in  motion.  Fearless  and  confiding,  it  will  pursue  its  avocations  in 
close  proximity  to  an  observer,  apparently  unconscious  of  his  presence.  Its  familiarity 
with  man  and  confidence  in  him  are  very  touching,  and  this  trait,  no  less  than  its  cheery 
call  and  industrious  habits,  endears  it  to  all  bird-lovers.  It  is  often  observed  in  company 
with  Wrens  and  Nuthatches.  In  Fall  and  Winter  the  Chickadee  is  one  of  the  most  abund- 
ant birds  we  have,  and  it  is  then,  perhaps,  more  frequently  seen  than  any  other  kind.  Its 
Summer  call  is  chick-a-dee-dee-dee-dee , and  that  of  Winter  is  day-day-day. 


PLATE  LXI.  GOLDEN-CROWNED  KINGLET, 


-la -.-j 


■L-  .fL. 


PLATE  LXL— GOLDEN-CROWNED  (OR  CRESTED)  KINGLET. 

Regidus  satrapa. 

Above  olive-green  ; beneath  dull  white  ; crown  as  follows  : in  the 
centre  a stripe  of  orange  surrounded  on  front  and  sides  by  yellow,  and 
that  in  the  same  manner  by  black,  and  that  again  similarly  by  light 
gray  ; wings  brown,  most  of  the  feathers  with  pale  edges ; tail  brown, 
notched  ; bill  black  ; feet  dark.  Length,  4 inches. 

Migratory.  This  exquisite  little  creature,  fragile  in  appearance,  and,  excepting  the 
Winter  Wren  and  the  Hummingbird,  the  tiniest  of  our  birds,  is,  in  fact,  a hardy,  cold- 
loving  species.  It  comes  to  us  from  the  boreal  regions  about  the  first  of  October,  and 
remains  through  the  Winter.  Look  for  it  then  among  the  pines  and  cedars.  It  has  an 
artless  little  song,  unpretentious  but  pleasing  ; a simple  whistle  repeated  quickly  three  or 
four  times.  This  it  utters  in  a sort  of  antiphone  to  the  day-day-day  of  the  Chickadee,  and 
the  quank-quank  of  the  Nuthatch,  for  these  three  birds  are  sworn  friends  and  constant 
companions. 

The  Golden-crowned  Kinglet  is  no  lover  of  warm  weather.  Such  experience  as 
comes  to  him  in  the  early  Spring  warns  him  to  be  off,  and  about  May  i he  wends 
his  way  northward. 


RUBY-CROWNHD  (OR  CRHSTHD)  KINGLF.T. 

Re(yuhis  calendula. 

Much  like  the  preceding,  except  th;it  it  is  ;t  trille  larger,  the  olive- 
green  of  the  back  is  darker,  and  the  crown  is  as  follows  : general  color 
olive-green,  a vermilion  patch  in  the  centre,  and  the  forehead  light 
gray.  Length,  4.40  inches. 

Migratory.  The  habits  of  the  Ruby-crowned  Kinglet  differ  somewhat  from  those 
of  its  congener. 

It  has  a more  southerly  range,  and  spends  its  Winters  in  the  south.  It  comes  to  us 
the  middle  of  April,  remains  about  one  month,  and  then  follows  its  Golden-crowned  name- 
sake. Whether  or  not  it  goes  as  far  north,  1 do  not  know,  but  it  is  not  again  seen  here 
until  late  in  September.  At  this  time,  and  about  two  weeks  in  advance  of  the  Golden- 
crown,  it  pays  us  a month's  visit,  when  it  finally  departs  for  its  southern  Winter  home. 

Dr.  Mearns  points  out  that  this  Kinglet  “is  one  of  our  earliest  singing  migrants,”  and 
remarks  that  “ its  song  is  one  of  the  sweetest,  and  much  louder  than  would  be  supposed, 
coming  from  such  a little  bird.” 


202 


HERMIT  THRUSH. 


Tmdus  aonalaschka’  pallasii. 

Above  olive-brown,  passing  to  a decidedly  reddish  color  on  the  tail; 
beneath  white,  tinged  with  yellow  on  the  breast,  and  with  gray  on  the 
sides  ; throat  pure  white,  bordered  with  brown  spots, — these  spots 
extend  down  upon  the  breast  and  are  of  a shape  called  arrow-headed  ; 
a yellowish  ring  around  the  eye ; tail  rather  short,  nearly  even  ; bill 
dark  brown, — the  lower  mandible  much  the  lighter  ; legs  light  brown. 
Length,  7.1s  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  April,  leaves  early  in  October.  Nests  near  or  on  the 
ground.  Its  song  is  notable  and  resembles  that  of  the  Wood  Thrush.  Mr.  Burroughs 
says:  “The  Wood  Thrush  and  the  Hermit  stand  at  the  head  as  songsters,  no  two  persons, 
perhaps,  agreeing  as  to  which  is  the  superior.”  Mr.  Burroughs’  own  preference,  however, 
is  evident,  for  he  mentions  the  “divine  soprano  of  the  Hermit,”  and  again  says:  “A 


203 


PLATE  LXII.  WOOD  THRUSH. 


strain  has  reached  mv  ears  ^ that  to  me  is  the  finest  sound  in  nature — the  song 

of  the  Hermit  Thrush.” 

The  beginner  will  be  puzzled  to  discriminate  between  the  several  Thrushes.  As 
regards  the  three  here  mentioned,  the  Wood,  the  Veery  and  the  Hermit,  the  differences  in 
the  color  of  the  back  will  guide  him  aright. 

Miss  Merriam  thus  concisely  states  these  variations  : 

“The  brown  of  the  Wood  Thrush  is  reddest  on  the  head  and  shoulders. 

“The  brown  of  the  Hermit  is  reddest  on  the  tail. 

“The  Tawny  has  a uniformly  tawny  back.” 

PLATE  LXIL— WOOD  THRUSH. 

Tnrdus  mustelinus. 

Above  cinnamon-brown,  reddest  on  the  bead,  shading  into  olive  on 
the  rump  and  tail ; beneath  white,  thickly  spotted  on  breast  and  sides 
with  dark-brown,  but  the  chin,  throat  and  middle  of  belly  are  im- 
maculate ; tail  nearly  even  ; bill  brown;  feet  pale.  Length,  8.2s  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  late  in  September.  Nests  usuallv  in  woods, 


205 


PLATE  LXIII.  WILSON’S  THRUSH. 


though  trequently  near  dwellings,  and  seldom  in  lofty  situations,  preferring  low  trees  or 
even  bushes  for  its  dwelling  place. 

Its  song  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  bird  utterances  ; strong,  rich  and  varied,  and 
with  a peculiar  metallic  quality  belonging  to  no  other  bird. 


PLATE  LXIIL— WILSON’S  THRUSH.  TAWNY  THRUSH. 

VEERY. 

Turdiis  fuscescens. 

Above  reddish-brown,  nearly  continiwns  m ^bade,  including  tail  ; 
beneath  white,  less  pure  on  sides,  and  even  yellowish  on  throat  and 
upper-breast  ; spotted  with  brown  on  the  breast  and  sides  of  the 
throat ; tail  rather  short  and  slightly  notched  ; upper  mandible  darker 
than  lower  one;  feet  pale.  Length,  7.50  inches. 

Migratory.  Arrives  early  in  May,  leaves  early  in  September.  Nests  low,  often  upon 
the  ground. 

A shy  bird,  frequenting  dark  woods  or  swamps. 

A line  singer. 


207 


PLATE  LXIV.  AMERICAN  ROBIN. 


PLATE  LXIV.-AMERICAN  ROBIN.  ROBIN. 


Mend  a migratoria. 

Above  olive-gray;  head  black;  throat  white  streaked  with  black; 
eye-lids  and  a spot  before  the  eye  white  ; breast  and  belly  chestnut- 
brown  ; under-side  of  rump  white  ; wings  dark  brown,  some  of  the 
feathers  with  light  edges ; tail  black,  slightly  rounded,  the  outside 
feathers  tipped  with  white  ; bill  yellow;  feet  dark.  Length,  lo  inches. 

A migratory  species.  Those  individuals  which  sometimes  pass  the  Winter  here  are 
probably  birds  with  a more  northerly  range  than  the  others  of  their  kind.  The  Robin 
arrives  in  full  force  early  in  March  and  remains  until  late  in  the  Fall. 

Nests  usually  in  trees,  the  structure  being  composed  largely  of  mud. 

During  the  breeding  season  a persistent  vocalist,  and  if  the  song  has  not  much  variety, 
its  heartiness  and  good  cheer  render  it  one  of  the  most  agreeable  of  bird  utterances. 

Many  persons  who  cultivate  cherries,  grapes  and  other  small  fruits  are  prejudiced 
against  the  Robin,  believing  it  to  be  destructive  to  their  crops.  Such  enmity  is  ill-founded, 
for  fruit  is  a small  part  of  Robin’s  diet,  and,  by  the  havoc  he  creates  among  worms  and 


20Q 


insects,  he  much  more  than  compensates  for  the  damage  done  by  his  occasional  lapses  into 
vegetarianism.  The  quantity  of  worms  and  insects  which  he  devours  is  enormous, 
indeed  hardly  credible.  Professor  Treadwell  experimented  on  some  voung  Robins  kept  in 
captivity,  with  a view  of  determining  the  amount  of  food  necessary  to  maintain  them, 
and  found  that  each  one  required  sixty-eight  worms  per  day.  'fhat  is  to  say,  each  bird 
“ate  forty-one  percent,  more  than  its  own  weight  in  twelve  hours.  The  length  of  these 
worms,  if  laid  end  to  end,  would  be  about  fourteen  feet.  Man  at  this  rate  would  eat  about 
seventy  pounds  of  flesh  a day,  and  drink  five  or  six  gallons  of  water.” 

Well  may  Mr.  Thomas  Wentworth  Higginson,  in  Out  of  Door  Paphrs,  exclaim  at  the 
“exhausting  labor  of  yonder  Robin,  whose  winged,  picturesque  day  is  spent  in  putting 
worms  into  insatiable  beaks  at  the  rate  of  one  morsel  in  every  three  minutes.” 

The  American  Robin  must  not  be  confounded  with  the  Robin  Redbreast  of  English 
nursery  tales.  The  two  are  not  at  all  alike.  The  American  Bluebird  approaches  most  nearly 
of  any  of  our  birds  to  those  which  provided  the  celebrated  sleeping  babes  with  their  leafy 
covering. 


2TO 


BLUEBIRD. 


Si  alia  sialis. 

Above  azure-blue ; throat  and  upper-breast  ciunaiuoii  ; belly  dull 
white  ; eyes  large  ; tail  and  wings  broad,  the  former  slightly  notched ; 
bill  and  legs  black.  Length,  7 inches. 

A migratory  species;  individuals,  probably  those  with  the  northernmost  range,  being 
usually  present  with  us  through  the  Winter. 

Arrives  early  in  March  or  even  in  February,  leaves  kite  in  November.  Song  a soft, 
pleasing  warble  in  which  a resemblance  to  the  syllables  trii-al-ly  often  repeated  has  been 
noticed.  The  bird  utters  this  song  when  he  is  dying  and  when  he  is  at  rest. 

Nests  in  holes  of  trees  or  posts,  or  in  boxes  placed  for  his  use  in  gardens. 

One  of  the  earliest  comers,  the  Bluebird  is  gladly  welcomed  as  a harbinger  of  Spring, 
and  his  arrival  is  more  widely  remarked  than  that  of  most  of  the  other  birds.  As  the 

season  advances  and  the  tide  of  migration  sets  fully  in,  he  loses  his  prominence,  until,  in 

Fall,  many  of  the  Summer  visitors  having  departed,  he  again  assumes  importance  ; 


21 1 


then,  after  greeting  the  Juncos  and  Snowflakes  just  come  from  the  north,  and  bidding 
adieu  to  his  intimate  friends,  the  Chickadees,  he  joins  the  Kinglets  and  Warblers,  now  on 
their  southern  journey,  and  who  tarry  long  enough  for  him  to  make  his  final  preparations, 
and  with  them  he  seeks  a sunnier  clime.  On  some  pleasant  November  morning,  when  we 
hear  his  sweet  warble  fiom  an  adjacent  fence,  though  at  the  time  we  are  unable  to  interpret 
the  burden  of  his  lay,  he  is,  in  his  own  “gentle,  high-bred  manner,”  bidding  us 

Farewell. 


7i2 


COLOR-GUIDE 

The  following  color-guide  is  intended  to  help  in  identifying  birds.  To  use  it,  scan 
the  teft  cotumn  until  a heading  is  found  that  indicates  a color  corresponding  to  the  most 
noticeable  marking  of  the  bird  whose  name  is  desired.  If,  under  this  heading,  there 
stand  sub-headings,  see  if  the  unknown  bird  has  peculiarities  mentioned  in  one  of  these. 
The  comparisons  having  been  accuratety  made,  the  reader  may  feel  reasonably  sure  that 
he  has  reached  the  right  name.  Further  confirmation  may  be  sought  from  the  descriptions 
in  the  body  of  the  book,  to  which  the  figures  in  the  right  column  refer. 


^ack  ash. 

Bank  Swallow.  145 

Kingbird.  81 

Back  ash,  streaked  with  black. 

Head  black;  cheeks  white. 

Black-poll  Warbler.  175 

Back  black. 

Head,  neck  and  middle-breast  black; 
sides  of  breast  and  tail-patches  or- 
ange; belly  white. 

American  Redstart.  185 


Back  black. 

Belly  white;  sides  chestnm. 

Chewink.  133 

Belly  and  rump  white;  breast  rose- 
red. 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak.  137 
Rump  yellow. 

Magnolia  Warbler.  169 

Back  black  and  orange. 

Baltimore  Oriole.  104 


213 


pAr.E 


t*AOH 


Back  black  and  white. 

Downy  W()oi)pi-:cki;r.  67 

Hairy  Woodpkckhr.  67  j 

Breast  orange.  1 

Blackburnian  Warbler.  16s  j 

Head,  and  neck  all  round,  crimson. 

Red-headed  Woodpecker.  71  ; 

Back  ashy-blue. 

Northern  Shrike.  149  ' 

Crested. 

Belted  Kingfisher.  63 

Throat,  sides  of  head  and  of  body 
black. 

Black-Throated  Blue  War- 
bler. 167 

Crown  and  back  of  neck  black ; 
under-parts  white. 

Whiti:-breasti:d  Nuthatch.  197  | 


Back  ayure-blue. 

Breast  cinnamon  ; belly  dull  white. 

Bluebird.  211 

Back  light  blue. 

Blue  Jay.  91 

A patch  of  yellow  in  centre  of  the 
back  ; breast  yellow,  somewhat 
spotted  with  brown. 

Parula  Warbler.  161 

Back  slaty-blue,  streaked  with  black. 

Crown,  rump  and  a spot  on  each  side 
of  the  breast  yellow. 

Myrtle  Warbler.  164 

Back  steel-blue. 

Underneath  chestnut. 

Barn  Swallow.  141 

Back  gray. 


Least  Flycatcher. 


89 


PAGE 


Back  olive-gray. 

Head  black;  throat  white  streaked 
with  black;  breast  and  belly  chest- 
nut. 

Robin.  209 

Back  ol ive-browii . 

Phcebe.  8 s 

Wood  Pewee.  8 s 

Beneath  white  with  many  brown 
spots. 

Hermit  Thrush.  20s 

Back  metal  lie-green . 

Ruby-Throat’d  Humm’g  Bird.  78 

Back  olive-green. 

Great  Crested  Flycatcher.  83 
Kinglets  (very  small  birds). 

201,  202 

Beneath  white,  spotted  and  streaked 
with  black. 

Oven-bird.  i8s 


PAGE 


^ack  olive-green. 

Beneath  yellow  (more  or  less  pure). 

Maryland  Yellow-Throat.  180 
Yellow-bellied  Flycatcher.  87 


Yellow-breasted  Chat.  181 

Yellow-Throated  ViREo.  isi 

Eyes  red. 

Red-eyed  Vireo.  iss 

Eyes  white. 

White-eyed  Vireo.  137 

Head  blue-gray. 

Solitary  Vireo.  iss 

Head  buff,  striped  with  black. 

Worm-eating  Warbler.  160 

Back  olive-yellow. 


Eorehead,  cheeks,  breast  and  belly 
bright  yellow;  neck  all  round, 
crown  and  chin  black. 

Hooded  Warble;r.  184 


15 


I’AGF. 


Back  reddisb-hrowii. 

Beneath  white  spotted  with  brown. 


Brown  Thrasher. 

i8g 

Wfi.son’s  Thrush. 

207 

Wood  Thrush. 

20s 

Back  slate,  streaked  with  black. 

Thi'oat  and  sides  chestnut;  belly 

and 

centre  of  breast  I'eddish-white. 

Bay-breasted  Warbler. 

Back  sooty-brown. 

Throat  light  gray. 

Chimney  Swift. 

77 

Back  white. 

Hind-neck  cream  color;  all  else  black. 

Boboi.ink  (in  nuptial  plumage),  qs 
‘Back  yellowish-green . 

Chin,  throat  and  breast  black;  fore- 
head, a band  over  the  eye,  cheeks 
and  sides  of  neck  yellow. 

Bi.ack-throathi)  Gkehn  War- 


BLI-.K. 


177 


Beneath  white  {more  or  less  pure). 

Cuckoos.  Oi,  62 

Downy  Wooi)I>i.cki-:r.  67 

Hairy  Wooi)|>hckf;r.  67 

Kincbiri).  81 

LkaST  pLYCATCHFiR.  89 

Northhrn  Shrikh.  149 

Phchbh.  85 

Rhd-hf{af)EF)  Woof)I>hckhr.  7f 
Whfte-breastef)  Nuthatch.  197 
Woof:)  Pewee.  85 

A brown  band  across  the  breast. 

Bank  Swaef.ow.  f4s 

Sides  chestnut. 

Chewfnk.  133 

Streaked  on  sides  of  body  with  black. 

Bi.ack  ANF)  White  Warbler,  f s9 

Streaked  on  sides  of  body  with  black ; 
head  black;  cheeks  white. 

Black-f’oll  Warbler.  F75 


,6 


PAGE 


beneath  white  {more  or  less  pure). 

Throat,  sides  of  head  and  of  body 
black ; back  grayish-blue. 

Black-throated  Blue  War- 
bler. 167 

A chestnut  stripe  on  each  side  of  the 
body. 

Chestnut-sided  Warbler.  171 

Spotted  with  brown  or  black  on  breast 
and  belly. 

Brown  Thrasher.  189 

OyEN-BiRD.  183 

Thrushes  (Hermit,  Wilson’s 
and  Wood).  203-207 

Breast  or  belly  [or  both)  bright  orange. 

Baltimore  Oriole.  104 

Blackburnian  Warbler.  i6s 

Breast  or  belly  {or  both)  chestnut. 

Barn  Swallow.  14  i 

Bluebird. 


2 1 1 


PAGE 


Breast  or  belly  {or  both)  chestnut. 

Orchard  Oriole. 

Robin. 

Breast  rose-red. 

Belly  white. 

Rose-breasted  Grosbeak. 


103 

209 


U7 


Breast  or  belly  {or  both)  spotted  or  dashed. 

Brown  Thrasher.  189 

Flicker.  73 

Fox  Sparrow.  13  i 

Horned  Lark.  93 

OyEN-BIRD.  183 

Thrushes  (Hermit,  Wilson’s 
and  Wood).  203-207 

Breast  or  belly  {or  both)  more  or  less 
yellow. 

American  Goldfinch.  112 

Great  Crested  Flycatcher.  83 

Maryland  Yellow-Throat.  180 

Parula  Warbler.  16  i 

Red-eyed  Vireo.  133 


"Breast  or  belly  (or  both)  more  or  less 
yellow, 

Yfxlow-beli  ihh  Flycatcuhr.  87 
Yellow-bellied  Sabsucker.  69 
Yellow-breasted  Chat.  18  i 
Yellow-throated  Vireo.  isi 
Yellow  Warbler.  162 

Crown  bay. 

l^ALM  Warbler.  179 

Forehead  and  cheeks  yellow  ; neck 
all  round,  crown  and  chin  black. 

FIooded  Warbler.  184 

Large  black  crescent  on  neck. 

Meadowlark.  10  i 

Throat,  chin  and  rump  yellow;  back 
black  ; black  streaks  on  breast  and 
sides  of  body. 

Maonolia  Warbler.  169 


Breast  lilac-brown,  ivith  a large,  black 
half -moon. 

Belly  ashy,  plentifully  spotted  with 


black  ; rump  white. 

Flicker.  73 

Crested  (more  or  less). 

Belted  KiNCiFisHER.  63 

Blue  Jay.  91 

Cardinal.  135 

Cedar  Waxwing.  147 

Great  Crested  Flycatcher.  83 
Kingbird.  81 

Phcebe.  85 

Wood  Pewee.  85 


General  color  ash. 

Plead  crested  ; tail  with  a yellow 
terminal  band. 

Cedar  Waxwing.  147 


General  color  black. 

COWBIRD.  97 

Crow.  93 

Purple  Crackle.  107 

Shoulders  red. 

Red-winged  Blackbird.  99 

Sides  of  body  chestnut. 

Chewink.  133 

Tail -patches  and  sides  of  breast 
orange  ; belly  white. 

American  Redstart.  i8s 

General  color  blue. 

Indigo  Bunting.  139 

Crested. 

Belted  Kingfisher.  63 

Blue  Jay.  91 

Breast  cinnamon  ; belly  dull  white. 

Bluebird  21  i 

Underneath  chestnut. 

Barn  Swallow.  14  i 


General  color  a brilliant  variegation  of 


black,  white  and  orange. 

Baltimore  Oriole.  104 

Blackburnian  Warbler.  165 


General  color  pale  crimson. 

Back  streaked  with  brown. 
Purple  Finch. 

109 

General  color  gray. 

Crown  and  throat  black  ; 

cheeks 

white. 

Chickadee. 

199 

General  color  red. 

American  Crossbill. 

1 1 1 

Cardinal. 

13s 

Summer  Tanager. 

139 

Wings  and  tail  black. 

Scarlet  Tanager. 

140 

General  color  reddish-brown,  much  barred 
and  spotted. 

Wrens  (very  small  birds). 

191-104 


PAOR 


PACK 


General  color  slate. 

Belly  white;  tail  with  white  outside 
feathers. 

juNCO.  127 

Crown  and  tail  black. 

Catbird.  187 

General  color  streaked  ‘with  brown  [or 
reddish)  and  dull  while  (or yellowish). 

(Shipping  Sparrow.  12s 

Field  Sparrow.  i i 7 

Fox  Sparrow.  131 

Pine  Siskin.  iis 

Song  Sparrow.  129 

Chin  white. 

White-throated  Sparrow.  121 

Shoulders  reddish  ; outer  tail-feathers 
white. 

Vesper  Sparrovc.  1 19 

Shoulders  yellow. 

Grasshopper  Sparrow.  123 


General  color  white. 

Snoweiake.  1 17 

General  color  yellow. 

Oown,  win'fs  and  tail  black. 

American  ('joldeinch.  112 

Under-parts  streaked  with  reddish- 
brown. 

Yellow  Warbler.  162 

Head  and  neck  all  round  bright  crimson. 
Back  black  ; rump  white. 

Red-headed  Woodpecker.  71 

Tail  with  a white  terminal  band. 

Kingbird.  81 

Tail  with  a yellow  terminal  band. 

Cedar  Waxwing.  147 

Throat  ruby-red. 

Back  metallic-green. 

Ruby-throat'd  Humm’g  Bird.  78 


INDEX 


Bee-Martin,  see  Kingbird. 

Blackbird,  Crow  (or  Common  Crow),  see  Purple  Crackle. 

Marsh  (or  Swamp),  see  Red-winged  Blackbird. 
Red-winged,  30,  33,  40,  48,  99.  PI.  XXI. 
Skunk,  see  Bobolink. 

Bluebird,  31,  34,  33,  40,  50,  211. 

Bobolink,  31,  37,  39,  48,  93.  PI.  XIX. 

Bunting,  Bay-winged,  see  Vesper  Sparrow. 

Indigo,  31,  32,  37,  39,  48,  1^9- 
Snow,  see  Snowflake. 

Towhee,  see  Towhee. 

. Yellow-winged,  see  Crasshopper  Sparrow. 
Butcher-bird,  see  Northern  Shrike. 

Cardinal,  23,  37,  48,  135.  PI.  XXXVI. 

Catbird,  31,  36,  39,  30,  187.  PI.  LV. 

Cedarbird,  see  Cedar  Waxwing. 

Chat,  Yellow-breasted,  36,  38,  40,  181, 

Chebec,  see  Least  Flycatcher. 

Cherrybird,  see  Cedar  Waxwing. 


I Chewink,  see  Towhee. 

Chickadee,  31,  34,  3o,  19Q.  PI.  LX. 

Chippy,  see  Chipping  Sparrow. 

Clape,  see  Flicker. 

CowBiRD,  33,  39,  48,  97,  103.  PI.  XX. 

Creeper  (or  Creeping  Warbler),  Black  and  White,  see 
Black  and  White  Warbler. 

Crossbill,  American  (or  Red),  34,  36,  48,  i i i.  PI.  XXVI. 
Crow,  American,  30,  34,  47,  81,  93.  PL  XVIII. 
Cuckoo,  Black-billed,  2 1 , 23,  31,  37,  39,  46,  01 . PI.  IV. 

Yellow-billed,  46,  62. 

Finch,  Grass,  see  Vesper  Sparrow. 

Pine,  see  Pine  Siskin. 

Purple,  34,  3S,  40,  48,  100.  PI.  XXV. 
Firebird,  see  Baltimore  Oriole. 

Flicker,  31,  34,  33,  40,  46,  73.  PL  IX. 

Flycatcher,  Great  Crested,  37,  30,  47,  83.  PI.  XIII 
Least,  37,  39,  47,  80.  PL  XVI. 
Yellow-bellied,  37,  38,  47,  87.  PI.  XV. 


22 


Index 


Goldfinch,  American,  31,  32,  34,  48,  112. 

Crackle,  Purple,  3^,  40,  48,  107.  1^1.  XXIV 

Greenlet,  see  Vireo. 

Grosbeak,  Cardinal,  see  Cardinal. 

Rose-breasted,  36,  39,  48,  137,  PI.  XXXVII. 
Hair-bird,  see  Chipping  Sparrow. 

Hangnest,  see  Baltimore  Oriole. 

High-hole  (or  High-holder),  see  Flicker. 

Hummingbird,  Ruby-throated,  31,  37,  38,  47,  78. 
Indigo-bird,  see  Indigo  Bunting. 

Jay,  Blue,  31,  34,  47,  Qi.  PI.  XVII. 

JuNco,  (or  Slate-colored  Junco),  48,  127.  PI.  XXXIl. 
Kingbird,  30,  38,  47,  81.  PI.  Xll. 

Kingfisher,  Belted,  23,  31,  34,  33,  46,  63.  PI.  V. 
Kinglet,  Golden-crowned  (or  crested),  34,  36,  39,  50, 
201.  PI.  LXI. 

Ruby-crowned  (or  crested),  33,  36,  39,  50,  202. 
Lark,  Horned,  34,  35,  39,  47,  93. 

Linnet,  Pine,  see  Pine  Siskin. 


I Lettuce-bird,  see  American  Goldfinch. 

I Meadowlark,  31,  34,  33,  40,  48,  loi.  PL  XXIL 
j Meadow-wink,  see  Bobolink. 

Myrtlebird,  see  Myrtle  Warbler. 

Night-jar,  see  Whip-jwor-will. 

Nuthatch,  White-breasted  (or  bellied),  34,  50,  197. 
PL  LIX. 

Old  Fieldlark,  see  Meadowlark. 

Oriole,  Baltimore,  31,  36,  38,  48,  104. 

Orchard,  37,  39,  48,  103.  PI.  XXI 11. 
Oven-bird,  36,  40,  49,  183.  PL  LIV. 

Owl,  Great  Horned  (or  Hoot,  or  Cat),  34,  46,  57,  PI.  11. 

Little  Horned  (or  Mottled,  or  Red,  or  Screech), 
34,  46,  59- 

Saw-whet  (or  Acadian),  34,  46,  53.  PI.  I. 
Snowy,  34,  33,  46,  59.  PL  III. 

Peabody-bird,  see  White-throated  Sparrow. 

Pewee,  Water,  see  Phoebe. 

Wood,  37,  39,  47,  83. 

Pewit  Flycatcher,  see  Phoebe. 


222 


Index 


Phcebe,  35,  40,  47,  85.  PI.  XIV. 

Reedbird,  see  Bobolink. 

Redbird,  Summer,  see  Summer  Tanager. 

Redstart,  American,  36,  30,  40,  i8s. 

Ricebird,  see  Bobolink. 

Robin,  American,  30,  34,  3s,  40,  50,  209.  PI.  LXIV. 
Golden,  see  Baltimore  Oriole. 

Ground,  see  Towhee. 

Sapsucker,  Yellow-bellied,  23,  35,  40,  46,  69.  PI.  VII. 
Shrike,  Northern,  23,  34,  35,  40,  49,  149.  PI.  XLII. 
Siskin,  Pine,  ^4,  55,  39,  48,  115.  PI.  XXVII. 
Snowbird,  seejunco. 

Snowflake,  "54,  35,  40,  48,  i i 7.  PI.  XXVIII. 

Sparrow,  Chipping,  36,  40,  48,  125.  PI.  XXXI. 

Field,  36,  40,  48,  I I 7. 

Fox,  35,  36,  40,  48,  131  . PI.  XXXIV. 
Grasshopper(or  Yellow-winged),  36,  39,48, 123. 
Song,  31,  33,  35,  40,  48,  129.  PI.  XXXIII. 
Vesper,  35,  40,  48,  i 19.  PI.  XXIX. 
White-throated,  34,  36,  37,  39,  48,  121 
PI.  XXX. 


Swallow,  Bank,  36,  38,  49,  145.  PI.  XL. 

Barn,  31,  36,  38,  49,  141.  PI.  XXXIX. 
Chimney,  should  be  Chimney  Swift  ep  v. 
Swift,  Chimney,  31,  36,  39,  47,  77.  PI.  XI. 

Tanager,  Scarlet,  31,  37,  39,  48,  140. 

Summer,  31,  48,  139.  PL  XXXVIII. 
Thistle-bird,  see  American  Goldfinch. 

Thrasher  (or  Thrush),  Brown,  36,  39,  30,  189.  PL  LVL 
Thrush,  Golden-crowned,  see  Oven-bird. 

Flermit,  35,  37,  39,  50,  203,  203. 

Red,  see  Brown  Thrasher. 

Wilson’s  (or  Tawny),  36,  38,  30,  203,  207. 
PI.  LXIII. 

Wood  (or  Song),  36,  39,  30,  203.  PL  LXII. 
Titmouse,  Black-capped,  see  Chickadee. 

Towhee,  36,  40,  48,  133.  PL  XXXV. 

Veery,  see  Wilson’s  Thrush. 

ViREO,  Blue-headed  (or  Solitary,  36,  39,  49,  155. 

PL  XLIV. 

Red-eyed,  37,  39,  4Q,  »53-  RL  XLIII. 
White-eyed,  36,  39,  49,  157.  PL  XLV. 


223 


Index 


ViREO,  Yellow-throated,  "56,  39,  49,  isi. 

Warbler,  Bay-breasted,  37,  39,  49,  173.  Id.  L. 

Black  and  White,  36,  39,  49,  139.  Id.  XLVl. 
Black  and  Yellow,  see  Magnolia  Warbler. 
Blackburnian,  37,  38,  49,  163. 

Black-poll,  37,  40,  49,  173.  Id.  LI. 
Black-throated  Blue,  36,  39,49,  107.  PI.  XLVII. 
Black-throated  Green,  37,  40,  49,  177.  Id.  LII. 
Blue  Yellow-backed,  see  Myrtle  Warbler. 
Chestnut-sided,  36,  39,  49,  171.  Id.  XLIX. 
Hooded,  37,  38,  49,  184. 

Magnolia,  37,  38,  49,  109,  PI.  XLVlll. 
%rtle,  35,  38,  39,  49,  164. 

Palm,  36,  39,  49,  179,  Id.  LlII. 

Parula,  36,  39,  49,  161. 

Worm-eating,  37,  39,  49,  lOo. 

Yellow,  36,  37,  49,  162. 

Yellov/  Red-poll,  see  Palm  Warbler. 
Yellow-rumped,  see  Myrtle  Warbler. 


Waxwing,  Cedar,  31,  34,  49,  147.  PI.  XLI. 
Whip-poor-will,  36,  38,  46,  73.  PL  X. 

Woodpecker,  Downy,  34,  40,  67. 

Colden-winged,  see  Flicker. 

Hairy,  34,  46,  67.  PL  VI. 

Pigeon,  see  Flicker. 

Red-headed,  33,  39,  46,  71.  PL  VI 11. 
Yellow-bellied,  see  Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker. 
Wren,  Golden-crowned  (or  crested),  see  Golden-crowned 
Kinglet. 

House,  31,  30,  39,  50,  194. 

Long-billed  Marsh,  37,  39,  50,  193.  PL  LVIIL 
Ruby-crowned  (or  crested),  see  Ruby-crowned 
Kinglet. 

Winter,  34,  36,  39,  50,  191.  PL  LVIl. 
Yellowbird,  see  American  Goldfinch. 

Summer,  see  Yellow-Warbler. 

Yellowthroat,  Maryland,  23,  37,  40,  49,  180. 

Yucker  (or  Yellowhammer),  see  Flicker. 


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